It94            The Old anld New JJfononga4,ela.
of Joseph Hamilton, long known as the City Hotel.  The first
survey through the town for a railroad was by B. H. Latrobe,
in 1835.  The line was run along Coal street and across Pigeon
creek, in the rear of the Applegate property, in Catsburg.
Opposition in the Legislature, and the cry that the passage
through Washington county of a railroad would ruin Pittsburgh
and make the grass to grow over the National pike, prevented
the company from getting the right of way. After several
unsuccessful efforts, the railroad company finally constructed
its road around Washington county, leaving Pittsburgh to seek
other channels of transit to the east, and thus the town of Williainsport, through the whims of a few would be philanthropists,
was deprived of railroad facilities for thirty-eight years.
In 1850, May 15th, the Hempfield railroad company was
incorporated with the view of constructing a railroad from
Greensburg to Wheeling.  It was to cross the river just below
Third street.  After a large sum of money had been expended
the work was abandoned. In 1873 the Pittsburgh, Virginia
 Charleston railroad was opened to this city.  The late Dr.
W. L. S. Wilson was appointed agent and sold the first ticket
to Maj. A. P. Foster, now of Florida. Dr. Wilson held the
position until his death, September 6th, 1886.  He was a
genial officer, a good citizen and amiable gentleman.  His
early death was not only a loss to the railroad company, but
to the town in which he had so long resided.
The completion of the McKeesport  Belle Vernon railroad
in October, 1889, on the east shore of the Monongahela river,
added anlother avenue to the growing trade of this city, whose
100th anniversary we celebrate to-day.  January 4th and 5th,
1832, petitions were presented by Messrs. Waugh and Patterson, of Washington county, and Gebhart of Somerset, in the
Legislature, in favor of incorporating a company to build a
bridge across the Monongahela at Williamsport.  The act proposed an appropriation in its aid, which gave rise to a very
active opposition in both houses, but through the efforts of the
members from  Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland  andlike Old and New  lf Mono9gakela.
Allegheny counties, it was passed, carrying with it an appropriation of $15,000, which was approved by Gov. Wolfe,
March 16th, 1832.
This bridge was built of pine frame on stone piers. It stood
on the site of the present bridge. The old bridge was burned
in 1883 or'84, and the present iron one erected in 1887.  In
1800 Joseph Parkison was the inn keeper, and in connection
therewith he had a trading mercantile store, in which certain
goods were kept to be sold for cash or produce, such as grain
whiskey, furs in the shape of skins.  Iron and salt transported
from east of the mountains on pack horses were very common
commodities.
A tavern, store and blacksmith shop in old times constituted
a town.  Tradition credits Parkison with being, in his early
day, a shrewd, successful Indian trader.  At the close of the
last century (1794) Samuel Black appeared in the town as a
merchant and down river trader.  He built the house long
known as the red house, on the river bank just below First
street.  The very site of the building has long since been
washed away by the ravages of the river. He was very successful in business, and at his death in 1846, was considered
one of the most wealthy men in the county. He was a man
of large stature and always wore a que.
IDaniel DePue was the Esquire of his day.  He lived in the
old log house on the point at the mouth of Pigeon creek. His
peculiar signature is attached to many of the older deeds. His
first commission was dated AMarch 12th, 1792.
William Irwin was also a merchant, had his store in a log
room on the corner of First street.  He, in 1802, built the old
part of the house now occupied by Mrs. Kerr, and it was the
first brick house in the town.  He died in 1822, and was
buried in the old graveyard on the hill, where his remains and
those of his wife are to this day.  His son John married
Margaret Guthrie, niece of the late Joseph Wilson, of whom
others will speak.  At the beginning of this century James
Warne and William Parkison were associated as merchants.
959The Old and New l-onon,qahela.
In 1805 James Warne married Mary, daughter of Joseph
Parkison and sister to his business partner.  Not long after
his marriage Warne built the house on Main street, above
Stewart's alley, so many years the residence of Joseph Wilson.
In this house all of Warne's children were born, excepting one.
James Warne, in 1820, purchased from James Parkison the
farm above Catsburg, on which he resided until his death in
1855. His son, Joseph P., now owns it.
William Parkison, son of Joseph Parkison, and business
partner of James Warne, owned, in early days, the farm long
known as the Black homestead, on the pike, in what is now
called Bellevidere. He built the old mansion still standing on
the turnpike.  In front of this mansion on the meadow land,
William had a race course in circular form, through the woodland.  This race ground gave rise to the name of Race, now
Third street, in the town of Williamsport, laid out by his
father.
In October, 1805, Benjamin Butler, with his family, arrived
in the town on his way west, but he having died the first night
after his arrival, the family abandoned the idea of going any
further, and settled here. The arrival of the family and the
death of the father created no little stir.  Other particulars will
no doubt be related by the committee on genealogy. Business
and the social status of the town received a new impulse
through the Butler family.
Adam Wickerman, proprietor of Georgetown, was an active
business man in early days. He was the father of William
Wickerman, Mrs. Mary Chess and Mrs. John Bausman, who
is still alive and resides in Washington, Pa.
George Trout built, prior to 1805, and kept the tavern on
Main street, afterwards so long carried on by Joseph Caldwell.
Nathan Chalfant was a boatbuilder.
A. B. Chess was farmer and'trader; he built the old frame
tavern on tile river bank above Ferry street, known as Chess'
tavern.
But time will fail us to tell, in detail, of Dr. Rose, Acneas
96The Old aind New ilo,oongaeyahela.
Graham, Frederick Layman, Thomas Officer, Drs. King, Pollack and Brooks, Esq. Mitchell, James Gordon, Wm. Hunter,
John Eckles, J. and R. McGrew, John Watkins, Washington
Palmer, who built the City Hotel, W. P. Biles, John Shouse,
Peter Shouse, Robert Beebee, Joseph Hamilton, Jesse Martill,
Benjamin Furguson and many others more or less prominent.
We will refer only to a few.
Joseph McClure was the first cabinet maker in the town.
He made the cofflin in which was buried the older Benjamin
Butler.  His shop stood just below the old City Hotel, in
which Joseph Hamilton so long had his shop, and in which the
late Jefferson M'Lain passed most of his mechanical life, and
in which were made the larger part of the coffins interred in
the old graveyard.
Thomas Wells was the first saddle and harness maker.
Charles Bollman located in the town about 1810. He had
a store in the first place in a log building near the bank of the
river, a short distance below Ford street. Two houses were
between this store room and the red house already mentioned.
In oile of these houses Dick Manks, the Parkison ferryman,
lived, and the other was occupied in later years by Win. Waddell, the wheelbarrow maker.  Dick Manks is universally conceded to have been the first colored man settled in the town,
even antedating Charlie the beer man, and Elijah and Thomas
Bowman. Bollman in after years erected a brick house on
Main, two doors above Second street.  On the corner next to
the alley, he had a store room, to which he rernoved his store.
About 1830 his dwelling and store room and goods, were
burned, this being the first fire in the town. The house and
store room were rebuilt, but the marks of the fire can yet be
seen on the front brick work.
Joel Butler built the brick house now owned and occupied
by Mrs. A. J. Stewart. James P. Stewart owned it, we think,
from the days of Butler.  In this house Aaron Kerr lived and
had a store for many years.
Joseph Wilson, successor to H. Wilson  Son, had a store
9798Tie Old anid New  ofown,.q(tal ela,.
for nearly half a century on Main street, just below the Parkison tavernl.
The good old Jesse Martin had the postofflice and a shoe shop
for many years on the corner of MAain and Second streets,
where now stands the Odd Fellows building.  He also kept
the office onI the Dick King corner, where Sutmnan's shoe shop
now is. He lived for many years in the brick house just below,
which has been displaced by the new house built by his grandson, the late James C. Scott, in which is now the clothing
store of W. C. Rolinson.
The old glass works on coal street, below Washington, now
Second street, were erected by Warne, Parkison  Co., in
1816.  The company consisted of James Warne, William
Parkison, Joel and Benjamin Butler.  For convenience in their
business, the company issued a currency in the shape of bank
notes, known better as shinplasters, redeemable in goods or
current bank notes at their store.  These notes were of the
denomination  of 61, or fips; 12k, or levys; 25 and 50 cents.
This effort to make glass was a failure.  The works were sold
by the sheriff to Samuel Black, and J. and R. McGrew, which
after being repaired, were leased to Wm. Ihirsen.
Sometime prior to 1834, Wm. Ihmsen erected what was
called the new  factory, on the Island.  He operated both
of these factories until the day of his death.  Ile was considered the most extensive and successful glass man of his day.
In 1834, in the old factory, were blowers as follows: John
Shouse, John Caldwell, John Tevis, Wash. Spence, Chas.
Rose, Nat. McCalla and H. D. Cooper.  Jolhn S- Markell was
apprenticed to Nat. McCalla.  Rollers were then made 24 by
30 inches and now 87 by 52 inches.
In later years Samuel Black erected a glass works at l)ry
Run.  It never was much of a success.  The glass factory at
the lower end of the town, now in operation under O'Leary, is
the last effort to make glass in this city. Wm. Ihrisen, Henry
Ihmsen, John S. Markill, A. L. Williamrls, Smith and Herron
were the more prominent glass manufacturers in former days.
98The Old anrd New lX[onoinya/ela.
The old hotel now owned by Gregg Brothers was kept by
Caleb Harvey, A. L. Williams, Stephen Earnest 1840 to'45
anld Jacob Weltner.  We have not any knowledge,who originally carried on the Chess tavern other than at one time, George
Rose, the older, had it rented; then it was converted into a
cabinet shop, where Abe Elliot and Jonn Brownlee did work
for Cyrus Huston.  It was in this room where Huston and
lawyer T. J. Fox Alden had their headquarters during the long
litigation with A. B. Chess, in determining the title to the farm
on which the lower part of this city is now built, and which
had been willed to Mrs. Chess by her father, Adam Wickermall.
George Rose also kept a tavern and cake and beer stand in
the old frame house which stood on what is now Brown's corner, Main and Second streets.
The tavern already menltioned, built by George Trout on
Main street, short distance below the Episcopal church, had in
its day several landlords, such as George Trout, Joseph Caldwell, A. T. Gregg and John Chessrown.  The old City Hotel,
which has already beenl mentioned, wa's built by Washington
Palmer, in 1811, just before he went into the army with Captain James Warne's company.  Joseph Hamilton, Henry Wilsoin, Caleb Harvey and W. H. Miller were landlords in this
tavern.
Abramin Teeters had a tavern for manly years at the corner of
Second anld Railroad streets.  After his death it was kept by
his son, Danl Teeters.  The house was used for a depot after
the building of the railroad, and on the completion of the
present depot, the old tavern house was torn away.
The brick house, coriner Main and Fourth streets, was erected
by James Mercer prior to 1834.  He used the corner for a
store room, in which he kept the first exclusive shoe store in
town.  He was drowned at the wharf, mouth of Fourth street,
by his horse plunging into the river. After his death the house
was used as a tavern by Mrs. Backhouse, Shively Hazelbaker,
Abram Fulton, Jas. P. Shepler, T. B. Wilgus and the present
landlord, and perhaps others whose names we cannot recall.
99.The Old and New lfo*ony/a,hedla.
John Lamb, in early days, carried on a tan yard over the
creek where David Woodward, whose wife was a Butler, lived
to the day of his death, he having married his wife previous
to emigrating from the east with the Butler family.  I think
his son Noble lived in this house most, if not all of his life.
David's son, Joseph, still lives, and has for many years
resided in Catsburg, he to-day is one of the substantial
mechanics of the town, a living link between the past and
present Butler family.
John Cooper removed from West Newton, in old time called
Robbstown, to this place in 1810, and purchased froin Adam
Wickerman the lots now occupied by the residence of the late
James P. Shepler, and the old school house, oni which he
erected a tannery. His wife's maiden name was Miss Sparks.
They were married March 2nd, 1809. John Cooper died March
lst, 1820, leaving a widow and sons Richard Sparks, Hezekiah
D., John S. and Robert F., and one daughter, Mary Jane, who
mlarried the late Dr. R. F. Biddle, and is the only surviving
child of John Cooper.
Mrs. Cooper married John Shouse March 28tlh, 1828.  He
died at the Valley Inn, on the pike, now called Baidland Post
Office, August 13th, 1834, leaving one son, W. H. Shouse,
now of Cincinnati, Ohlio, and one daughter, Fannie C., wife
of Rev. J. P. Fulton, of Harper, Kansas.
The sons of John Cooper inherited munch of the military
spirit of their grandfather, Richard Sparks, who had been a
soldier in the Indian and Revolutionary Wars, and was at the
close of the Revoli,tion a Colonel in the United States army.
IHe died in the south whilst on duty.
Richard S., son of John Cooper, served as a soldier in the
Mexican War, and was for years Captain of the old Jackson
Guards, of which the late Washington Eckles was fifer and
Noble Woodward drummer.  He died November 13th, 1857.
Hezekiah received his title froIn being captaini in a militia
company which did corn stalk service at the stone taverni stand
of Alexander Campbell, on the pike above the toll gate, and
at Ginger Hill.
100T/e  Old (011il ATi,n MiononahCteIa.              101
R. F. Cooper was not only a man of learning, but one of
the most accomplished military iien of the state.  He died in
the United States service in 1864.
James Gordon, for years in connection with a store had a
tan yard on Main Street, above Bollmnan's alley. He built the
brick house, corner of Main and Beollman's alley, in which he
lived for many years. The same yard in after years was
operated by John J. Linn, Henry Fulton and Richard Stockdale.  Matthew Fleming, in the forties, had a small tannery
on the river bank just below the present knitting factory.  He
abandoned the tan yard to accept the position of toll keeper of
the bridge.
iEneus Graham was an early resident of the town. He was
a tailor by trade, a wise and good man. He had his tailor
shop first in the old building two doors above the Cocain Hotel
on Second street, and afterward for a time on the corner where
now stands the Odd Fellows' building. He removed to the
brick building, corner of Third and Main streets, now owned
by Mrs. Phillips.  He erected this house and lived in it to the
day of his death.  His wife was a daughter of Daniel DePue
and mother of S. B. Bentley's first wife.
Frederick Layman, the tailor, emigrated froin Germany and
came direct to Williamsport in 1807, where he resided all of
his long life.  He lived at first in the old house that stood
where now is located the brick house occupied by Mrs. H. D.
Cooper in the latter part of her life.  It is situated on Main
street, three doors above the Peoples Bank.  Some time prior
to 1834, Frederick Layman built the brick house on the north
east corner of Main street and Church alley, in which he died,
we think, in 1846. This building is now owned by John S.
Markell.
The first suit of clothes Layman made in this country was
for Major James Warne, and also the last suit he made was for
him. He finished the suit in the evening and was dead before
morning. He was the father of Win. Layman, who died not
many years ago in the Third ward of this city.  William was
9
101The Old and New l/fonongahela.
the father of Wilson and Fred Layman, formerly citizens of
this place. Frederick Layman also owned at his death a tract
of land on Pigeon creek, adjoining Stockton.
Wm. P. Biles was an early settler in the town and was the
first citizen who pretended to practice law in the place.  He
was also a singing master.  He lived for years in the old house
which stood on Main Street, a little west of Mark Borland's
residence. Biles, though not educated in the classics, yet was
a man of genius and made himself heard when conducting suits
before the old time Esquires.  It is said he had two prices for
conducting a law suit, two dollars and a half if the client found
the witnesses, and five if he found them. In all he was a peculiar character.
J. R. Shugart and Henry Rabe were old time saddlers, but
for the last half a century R. M. Clark has been the fixed
saddle and harness maker.
Before and sometime after 1834, Samnuel Devore had a brewery on Main street, the remains of which can yet be seen opposite the brick row in the "gut, " as it used to be called.
Billy Savage was the old time stone cutter. He lived on the
Island and made most of the old time stone tombstones, many
of which lay scattered in the old graveyard.
James McCalla was a gunsmith.  He built and lived in the
house for many years occupied by the late Rev. John Kerr,
corner Fifth and Main streets, also by Hon. G. V. Lawrence.
It is now owned by Win. Devore.
J.  R. McGrew were the hatters for nearly a half a century.
They carried on the business at the corner where the Odd Fellows building now stands. The firm was dissolved by the
death of Robert, the junior partner, somewhere in the latter
thirties,  Their wool hats were famous for wear, much to the
discomfort of the boys who clamored for a new hat every winter, which could not be afforded.  To satisfy their desires the
old hat was ironed over by J.  R. McGrew, which for a time
gave it a very fine glossy appearanee. The old wool hat had
one great advantage in the fact that the boys could not tear it
102iThe Old and New /i[onowng,a/ela.
wvith their teeth, and their only hope was in punching it in
toles. That ended its use, except as a muzzle to the horse in
3orn plowing time.
In later years Alex. Wilson was a very active mnan. He;ettled in this city about 1845, where he gradually extended
his business until he became the largest dealer in the county in
wool, grain and produce generally. His store was in the old
building where now is located Landefeld's new store rooms.
He removed in 1857 to HEeyworth, Illinois, where he died June
14th, 1862. His remains lay aside of those of his wife, in the
Monongahela cemetery, where a beautiful monument perpetuates their memory.
The first drug store in the town was kept by Dr. George
Morgan, in the brick house opposite M'Gregor's block, on
Main street, in which James Dickey, the cabinet maker, in later
years, resided.
Mrs. Jane Biddle, Mrs. John Philips, Mrs. Ellen Bowman,
Mrs. Nancy Smith, Win. Coulter, Joseph P. Warne, S. B.
Bently and Joseph Woodward are the oldest residents of this
city.
Asher Vankirk was the chair maker of olden time. His shop
was located on the Island on the lot on which is the residence
of Mrs. Walter Applegate. The building was destroyed by fire
many years ago. After the retirement of Vankirk from the
business, the shop was carried on by Wm. McMahon until his
removal to the State of Indiana, where he died.
In olden time when our grandmothers had a grate to set, or
a chimney to top out, or a bake oven to build, they always sent
for "Pap,, George Mumbower.
The town has always been famous for its many skilled carpenters.  The Butler Brothers, John Eckles, John Watkins,
Joseph Hamilton, Benjamin Ferguson, Enoch Pierce, John
Watson and others whose names we can not recall, were
among the skilled mechanics of early day. In these latter days
their number is legion.  The Coulters, the Blythe boys, the
Yohe brothers, Joseph Woodward, Jefferson M'Lain and the
103MONONGAHELA VALLEY.
From different sources amid the mountains of West Virginia the MonoTlgahela River arises, and running in a northerly
direction at Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania, it joins the Allegheny
to form the Ohio.  It is situated principally between 41~ and
420 north latitude and in the 890 degree of longitude west of
Greenwich.  Its water flows gently from pure mountain sprinigs
and'in its course to the mouth fails to gather the malarial
poison. The valley for the most part is bordered with moderately high mountains and hills which abound in every variety
of minerals, timber, and especially in bituminous coal, petroleum and natural gas. The coal formation susceptible of being
mined is estimated at 400 square miles.  Petroleum and nlatural gas are of recent discovery and their development into
practical use of very muodern date and limited extent.  The
soil of the valley is rich in fertility and capable of producing
graini and vegetation of almost every variety.  The forests
originally abounded in chestnut, pine, cedar, oaks, maple, ash,
walnut, hickory, poplar, beech, but of late years timber has
been literally wasted to make lumber and obtain space for the
productions in agriculture.
The principal towns of the valley in Pennsylvania are New
Geneva, Brownsville, V+ayette City and Bellevernon in Fayette
County; Greensboro, in Greene County; Millsboro, Fredericktown, West Brownsville, California, Coal Centre, Allenport,
West Bellevernon, Charleroi, Lock No. 4, Columbia and Coal
Bluff, in Washington County, besides Monongahela, recently
formed into a city.  In Westmoreland County are situated
Gibsonlton Mills, North Bellevernon and Webster.  Within
the limits of Allegheny County, outside of the City of Pittsburgh, are located Carrollton, Elizabeth and West Elizabeth,
f'2.The Old and New  l6nongonahela.
Stockdale brothers have taken high rank as contractors and
skilled workmen.
Thomas Collins was a potter by trade, and with James
Collins carried on the pottery business in a building that stood
on Cemetery street, in Catsburg. Thomas Collins was born
in Uniontown, Pa., December 10th, 1803.  He learned his
trade in Greensboro, Pa. In what year he came to Monongahela City we are not informed.  He taught the first public
school in this place, which was in the winter of 1834-35, and
in an old house on the Island still standing.  Among his
scholars were John Anawalt and Frank Manown.  He was
superiiltendent of the first Methodist Sunday School organized
in the town.  He was elected justice of the peace in 1839, being one of the first under the Constitution of 1838.  He was
elected and served five terms.  He died at his residence on
Waverly hill, this city, December 24th, 1873. He was buried
at Ginger hill.  At the time of his death he was a member of
the Lutheran church.
Among the first efforts at manufacturing in old times was
the carding machine and fulling mill. Benjamin Parkison,
grandfather of A. R. Parkison, had such a mill run by the
tramp wheel at the mouth of Mingo.  Prior to this mill, carding wool was done by the settlers with a hand card. Common
material for wearing apparel was made by hand, in the shape
of woolsey-linsey, a composite of wool and flax. At Dry Run,
in 1834-37, Matthew Murdy  Co. had a carding machine.
Samuel Devore, in 1837, had a small carding machine in the
rear of the old Parkison lot.
About the year 1834, C. W.  Wm. Bryant erected what
has long been called the old carriage factory on Main street.
On its completion in 1834, the firm removed their iron store
from the shop one door west of the City Hotel, in which Jacob
Cort immediately commenced to mainufacture copper and
tinware.
The Bryants were the first in the town to make plows and
wagons on an extensive scale, and to keep a general assortment of Iron, especially Juniata iron.
104The Old and New fionon.qa/tela.
In 1834 Mrs. S. Guthrie carried on the millinery and mantua
making next door to Joseph Wilson's store on Main street.
Miss A. Flemming had a similar shop on Ferry street next
door to James Mercer's store.  Mrs. James Officer also carried
on the same business on Third street beiow the railroad, and
continued long after the former had quit the business. The
cards of Mrs. Guthrie and Miss Flemming both appear in the
Monongahela Patriot, April 29th, 1834.
Robert Walker, in the latter forties, had a woolen factory
on or near the site of Blythe  Co.'s planing mill on Fifth
street near the river.  It was burned in June, 1853.
William Johnson, at an early date. erected the first saw mill
in the town. It stood below the site of the same planing mill.
There was another saw mill as late as 1837 above the same
planing mill, owned and operated for a time by William Mills.
It was the first to saw lumber by steam for the boat vard of
Robert Beebe. Timber for building boats had been before
this time sawed by hand with the whip saw.
As William Mills had erected a saw mill for the boat yard,
so William  Ihrnsen, Vankirk and McAllister built one at the
mouth of Pigeon creek, in Catsburg, to furnish boards for
glass boxes for his two factories.  This mill, after the death of
Ihmsen, passed to other owners and operators.  Just before
the late war Mr. Cunningham built a few steamboat hulls at
this iill.  Mr. James Smith, we believe, was the last owner
before it was dismantled.
David Bolton manufactured augers over a half a century ago
in the old house that was located at the upper end of the street
leading from the creek bridge in Catsburg.  He moved to the
vicinity of Ginger Hill, where he died.  He was a brother-inlaw of the late Judge Hill.
The beginning of the Monongahela Manufacturing Company,
now located in the Third ward, was started by James W. Downer, in 1872. The business was carried on by Downer, Samuel
Hindman and Col. David Lackey, until 1877, at which time
Downer and Lackey retired and Major W. H. Morrison was
105iThe Old and New ioon.ongqahela.
taken into the firm and the business was carried on by Hindman and Morrison until 1881, when R. B. Abrams was added
to the firm, which was changed to Morrison, Abrams  Co.
In 1883 the company was merged into the Monongahela Manufacturing Company, which still exists. The whole plant was
burned June, 1890. The present extensive brick plant was
erected immediately after the fire, excepting the carpenter and
blacksmith shops, which were erected in 1892.
The telegraph was established originally to this city by way
of West Newton, in 1864.  0. C. House sent the first message
over the line to Pittsburgh, by way of West Newton. At Pittsburgh connection was made with the U. S. Telegraph Company.
The message cost 55 cents for ten words. The Monongahela
Valley Company was organized in 1864, by J. L. Shaw, and
under his management as President the line was extended all
along the valley.  This, with the West Newton line, was
merged into the Pacific and Atlantic, which, in 1877, was sold
to the Western Union Company.
The first telegraph operator at this city was McNulty, from
1864 to'66; then North, 1866-'67; then Scott, 1867-'68;
Adams, 1869; J. A. Wilson, 1869 to January, 1876; A. Park
Wilson, 1876 till his death in October, 1881; W. H. Lewis,
1881 to 1887. In October, 1872, the office was moved from
Wilson's drug store, on Main street, below Second, to the railroad station.  In this drug store the office was first opened.
Since the death of Dr. Wilson, George Oehle has been agent
and operator, with others under him. Others will give in detail:
The Valley Saw and Planing Mill of Blythe  Co., established in 1850 by Wm. and Joseph Brown; the extensive mills
of Yohe Brothers; the paper mill established by Samuel D.
Culbertson in 1850; the City Flouring Mill, erected in 1845,
by Henry Shearer and John Shepler; The Monongahela City
Steam Granite and Marble Works, established by R. M. Gee
in 1852; the steam docks, put in operation by Joseph Tuman,
Shadrick Heyser, George Grove and Cyrus Lynn; Graham's
106IThe Old an,d New Mi onon.qahela.
Foundry, established in 1879 by E. V. Graham, the present
proprietor; the gas company; natural gas company; telephone;
water works and sewerage system; electric light; the public
schools; churches and academies.
Philip Catlin was the first barber in the city, as far as we
can ascertain.  In 1834 he had his shop in the barroom of
Joseph Caldwell's tavern. Among his old successors were
Wm. Ralph, now a minister, Daniel Baizor and B. W. Adams.
Then followed Catlin- and Strange.  At the dissolution of this
firm, Alfred Catlin took a shop of his own. Alfred was a son
of Vachel Catlin, of West Newton, and brother of Captain
Wm. Catlin, of this city.  About 1871 Captain Wm. Catlin
and W. H. Jones formed a partnership, which was dissolved
in 1873, each one opening a shop. In 1874 Stephen B. Batch
opened his present shop on Second street.
About 1870 Baizor took into partnership Joseph A. Jones.
This firm was dissolved by the death of Baizor, which occurred
July 30th, 1881. Joseph R. Brooks then formed a firm with
Joseph A. Jones, under the name of Jones  Brooks. In January, 1891, Brooks retired from the firm, and Joseph A. Jones
and W. H. Jones entered into a partnership under the name of
Jones  Jones, who opened up one of the finest shops in the
valley, at INo. 257 West Main street.  Joseph A. Jones died
December 9th, 1891.  The barbers of to-day in the city are S.
B. Batch, James R. Brooks, Captain Wm. Catlin and W. IH.
Jones. Lizzie, wife of Philip Catlin, is still living and resides
in East End, Pittsburgh.
My friend, Samuel Fox, of Fallowfield, has kindly furnished
me with an original copy of the articles of association of a
bank, entitled "The Monongahela and Williamsport Manufacturing Company," to be established in 1816, as shown by the
date of the articles.  Books of subscription to the stock were
to be opened November 21st, 1816, in Williamsport, at the
house of Joseph Parkison; in Elizabethtown, at the house of
John Walker; also at Ginger hill, Thomas Carson's Columbia,
Robbstown and Garret Walls'. The only signature to this
107Tlhe Old and Neqw Xloononqcahela.
copy of the articles is that of John Grable, grandfather, we
presume, of John M. Grable, of this city.
The proposed capital was $100,000.  In order to facilitate
the organization, a president and twelve directors were selfconstituted to serve until the regular election, May, 1817.
These officers were president, James Mitchell;  directors,
Major James Warne, John Cooper, James McGrew, William
Parkison, W. P. Biles, James P. Stuart, Joel Butler, Garret
Wall, Robert McFarland, William Findlay, Aaron Applegate,
and Major John Grable. What was the final outcome of this
attempt to form a bank we are not able to gather, but tradition
makes it a failure.
In after years, in the early forties perhaps, Major A. L.
Williams, at the old Manown tavern, issued a currency in the
form of shin plasters, as they were called, redeemable at his
bar and at the store of Charles Bollman.  This undoubtedly
was the first and only bank of issue in the town, and it was of
short life.
The banking house of Alexander  Co. was the first real
bank in the city.  It was established in 1850, when the mercantile firm consisted of Joseph and son, W. J. Alexander,
under the title of J. Alexander  Son, which had existed
since 1843. The firm in 1850 was reorganized with the same
partners, under the name of Alexander  Co., which still
exists, although the names of James S. Alexander and Joseph
A. Herron have been added and Joseph Alexander died June
20th, 1871.
The banking business was opened in the rear end of the
store room which stood on the site of the present McGregor
block.  The building in which the bank is now located, corner
of Main and Third streets, was erected in 1870.  The bank is
one of the most solid in the state, and its members, by their
gentlemanly manners, sterling and long tried integrity, have
won the confidence of the business men in every part of the
nation.
The Peoples Bank was established in 1870, with a paid up
108'The Old aqnd New Monongahela.
capital of $100,000. The late A. C. Sampson was its first
president.  Hon. J. B. Finley is the present president.  This
too is a substantial, prosperous institution.  Its president is
one of the most enterprising men of the city, and his life
seems to be devoted to the advancement of its welfare. The
new bridge, the telephone, the electric light, water works, the
gas works and street improvements, all bear the impress of
his progressive spirit.
The Pittsburgh Gazette was the first newspaper printed in
Western Pennsylvania, and in 1786 was delivered to subscribers along the Monongahela river by one John Blair,
who advertised in the Gcazette August 30th, 1786, that he
would pass up and down said  river, from  Pittsburgh to
Casting's (Castener's) Ferry, with a boat every week, all
subscribers along the river and neighborhood could have their
papers brought to them  every week at a reasonable rate.  It
was in this paper Parkison advertised his first sale of lots.
The first paper printed in this town was the WTillicamnsport
C]"ronicle.  A copy dated January 23d, 1813, is still in possession of Mrs. Rebecca V. Stewart, of Speareville, Kansas.  In
it we find the following marriage notice:
"Married.-On Thursday evening, January 20th, by Rev.
Ralston, Joseph Hamilton, of Ginger Hill, and Miss Peggy
Ferguson. "
These were the parents of Rev. W. F. Hamilton, D. D., and
grandparents of Editor Col. Chill Hazzard, of the iVonongiahela
Republican.  It also records the marriage of Joseph Caldwell
and Catherine Swartz, by Rev. Mercer.  It makes reference to
David Hickman as a jolly old fellow who lived an easy life,
and, amongst other things, pulled teeth for a living, using rude
pinchers, made by Benjamen Langhead, who, as the paper says,
kept a Smith shop on Market street, next door to James Freeman's shoe shop, where Dr. Roberts formerly lived.  David
Hickman was no doubt the first resident dentist in the town.
The Village Jirforncant was published first in 1818, by
Joseph Clingan. We have part of a copy of this paper as
109The Old and Neew Monongonahela.
printed in 1819, but by some means it has been so mutilated as
to be of little service.  It contained the obituary notice of
grandfather Daniel Van Voorhis.
The next paper in the town was the Pennsylvan:ian, published by John Bausman, at the northwest corner of Main street,
if any one can tell where that is.  We present to you a copy,
Vol. 2, No. 71, dated November 21st, 1829.  It contains the
marrriage notice of Winm. Blythe to Miss Mary Marshall, Thursday, November 19th, 1818. It contains among other advertisements, that of James Mills, who wants his customers to pay
so that he could go forward with Elias Watkins in building a
steam mill for the interest of the community at large. The mill
was finished and after many years was sold to a man named
Coulson, in whose time it was burned. The mill was situated
on the river bank, opposite mouth of First street. The dwelling still stands.
The Pennsylvanian seems to have merged into the Williamsport P,atriot, the first number of which was issued on the 11th
day of November, 1833. Its editor was also John Bausman.
On the 15th day of April, 1834, Bausman sold the Patriot to
Samuel G. Bailey and John W. Hammond, who changed its
name to the J[on,ongahela Patriot, a copy of which, No. 49,
dated April 29th, 1834, I herewith exhibit. This paper was
sold to A. W. Davidson, who changed its name to the Carroll
Gazette, a shor ttime before, or after the Ritner-Wolfe campaign
for Governor.
We recall very well the fact that it printed week after week
the constitution of 1838, and why it was so often in the paper
was the wonder of my boyhood. Mr. Davidson's health gave
way about 1840, and the late R. F. Cooper became acting
editor, as well as school teacher during the winter in the brick
school house near the toll gate on the pike.  Many an article
he wrote for that paper in the school house whilst the scholars
enjoyed their dinner time.  The Gazette ceased in 1840.
The Neutral Ground, by John McNeal, was first issued in
1841, and was of short life.
110The Old and New lXonongqahela.
Rev. W. H. H. Barnes, in I844, started kind of a temperance paper, which was a failure in every particular.
The Ilononygahela Republican has outlived every other attempt
to publish a paper in the town.  Since its first issue by Solomon Alter, Esq., July 7th, 1848, it has been the persistent
advocate of improvement in the valley, and especially in this
city. It has passed through shade and sunshine until to-day
it takes rank among the most prominent newspapers in Western
Pennsylvania.  It has been owned and edited by the Hazzards
since 1855. Col. Chill Hazzard is its present editor and proprietor.
The Valley Record, first published by Wm. M. Boggs, March
4th, 1876, had for years been a spirited and well gotten up
paper.  After several changes, it has finally been merged into
the iWonongayhela Democrat published and edited by the Monongahela Democrat Publishing Company. The first number,
dated October 3rd, 1892, is full of spirit and bright hopes of
the future. Judging from the character and ability of the managers, we predict for it a prosperous career.
This city can boast that many of her citizens from time to
time have held important positions of trust in the great arena
of life.  Aaron Kerr was elected to the Legislature in 182425-26-27-28 and in 1840, and was also a member of the
constitutional convention of 1838.
Geo. V. Lawrence has been an active politician since 1842.
He was elected to the Legislature in 1843-46-58-59.  In
1848 he was elected to the State Senate over his opponent, the
late William Montgomery. He was re-elected to the Senate
in 1860, of which body he was Speaker in 1863. He was
again elected to the Senate in 1874-76-78.  In 1864-66-82
he was elected a member of Congress. In 1872 he was
elected a delegate at large to the Constitutional convention.
He has just been elected once more to the Legislature.  Thus
for fifty years he has been identified with national and state
politics, and it is a happy thought that his course in public life
has always been devoted to progress and the right.
111~112           The Old and New MJJonongqahela.
In 1843 the self-educated 0. B. M'Fadden, a resident of
the town, was elected with G. V. Lawrence to the Legislature.
The question of a new county was the means which elected
these two gentlemen in the same vicinity and of opposite
politics.  Mr. McFadden was a man of rare natural talent, and
with an unbounded energy he was enabled to succeed in almost
every step in life. Deserting his tannery in Beallsville, he
studied law and was admitted to the Washington bar the same
year in which he was elected to the Legislature.  In 1845 he
was elected prothonotary as successor to E. L. Blaine, father of
the distinguished James G. Blaine. At the expiration of his
term  he emigrated to Washington Territory, where, under a
democratic administration, he was appointed a judge of the
United States Court, from which position he retired to become
a delegate to Congress.  Ile died in that far-off country many
years ago.  His wife was a daughter of the old tavern keeper,
Joseph Caldwell.
John Storer represented Washington county in the Legislature in 1842.  He was the father of Dr. John II. Storer, Mrs.
Dr. J. H. Connolly, and Mrs. Sarah, wife of C. C. Johnson,
a former active business man of the town.  Johnson was born
in New York state.  He brought to the town the first onehorse buggy, as the Butlers did the first two-horse carriage.
Jesse Martin,  the old postmaster, was elected to the
Legislature in 1841.
Jacob Cort was elected a representative in 1847-48.  He
for years carried on the tin and copper business one door west
of the City Hotel and in the old frame house that stood on
what is now called Brown's corner. He moved west, where
he died many years ago.
J. S. VanVoorhis, your humble historian, represented
Washington county in 1857.
J. B. Finley was a member of the house in 1887-89-91.
T. R. Hazzard was also a member of the late constitutional
convention. He was a native of New York, immigrated to this
city about the year 1838, where he resided nearly all theThe Old and New K-op,onraalia.        113
remainder of his life. He was perhaps the most successful
academic teacher in the valley.  He established the first
academy in this city, and from it and other similar institutions
with which he was connected, went forth to fight the battles of
life, many who have attained high positions in literary and
professional life.  Of such we may mention Chief Justice
M'Elvain, of Ohio, Dr. James H. Mainown, of Kingwood, W.
Va., Major R. C. Walker, of Montana, Dr. J. C. Cooper, of
Philadelphia, Rev. William F. Hamilton, D. D., Hon. D. L.
Letherman, of Washington county, Dr. J. H. Storer, of West
Virginia, Dr. Robert Niccolls, of California, J. S., M. P. and
A. P. Morrison, of this city, Dr. O. J. Porter, of Westmoreland county, W. G. Johnson, Esq., of Pittsburgh, Dr. James
Flemming, of Ohio, A. H. Kerr, of Minnesota, William
Fuller, the millionaire cattle dealer, of Philadelphia, and others
of no less note.
Hazzard in his day did more for the cause of scientific and
classical education than any other man in the valley.  It was
the work of his life. As all editor, under trying circumstances,
he succeeded in building up the Monongahela Republican to be
a first-class newspaper, which has for nearly a half century
been a household god in the families of the valley. He died
in 1877. He was admitted to the Washington county bar in
1840.
James Gordon became a resident in 1810. He served as
Justice of the peace for thirty-five years.  He was in 1845
appointed an associate Judge by Governor Shunk.  He was
elected a member of the Electoral college in 1828, and as such
voted for General Jackson.  In 1813 he was a county commissioner and in 1857 was a member of the Board of Revenue
commissioners.
Samuel Hill was also an associate Judge.
Thomas H. Baird and Ianthus Bentley were elected and
served with honor as District attorneys of Washington county.
Bentley mroved to Colorado, where he died a few years ago.
Sheshbazzar Bentley, Jr., father of Ianthus, was elected
commissioner and sheriff of Washington county.
113Thle Old and Neew lonongqahela.
Coal Valley, Dravosburg, McKeesport, Duquesne, Port Perry,
Braddock and Homestead.  The Monongahela River is made
up, besides the large branches in West Virginia, from  the
Cheat River, Dunkard Creek, Ten Mile, Dunlap's Creek, Big
Redstone, Pike Run, Little Redstone, Maple Creek, Pigeon
Creek, Mingo Creek, Peters Creek and Youghiogheny River.
At what period the first white people came into the valley
is not definitely known, but it is a well established fact that
the whites as now considered were not the primitive settlers; of
the aborigines, we have no history other than relics which
abound, and traditional stories handed down from generation
to generation.  Mounds, graveyards and battlefields containing skeletons, war implements and other peculiar relics'are
found to abound in the valley.  They to a good degree differ
from those generally conceded to belong to the Indian tribes.
The forts as they are called in modern day, were intelligently
located for effective service for both offensive and defensive
warfare.  These forts were for the most part fixed at points
not easily accessible by an eniemy, whilst the battlefields and
burial places were chosen plateau grounds which the defensive
had prepared in advance of the approach of the attacking
party.  Those killed on the field were buried in a mound,
many of which still remain.  The forts were erected in an
elliptical form and the dead killed inside were buried in a circle
on the inner edge of the fortifications.  They were laid in a
trench on the left hip in a semi-sitting posture with the face
looking to the east. An earthen pipe and bowl were interred
with the body, but rarely is found any war instrument, for the
reason it is supposed, that such would be useful in battle
again, and mainly because the'passage to the land of the great
spirit was only to be accomplishe.d by peace measures.
EARLY WHITE SETTLERS.
Prior to the expedition of General Braddock the valley was
very sparsely settled, but the unfortunate career of this General
seemed to have given a new impetus to this part of Western
61The Old and New iononogahela.
Cyrus Underwood and Alvin King were elected Recorder,
and R. F. Cooper Clerk of Courts.
Hon. James Scott was another Monongahela boy of distinction. Although never a resident, yet was for years a fixture
in this city. He was born in Mingo, April 15th, 1815.  He
received his literary education in the common schools and in
the Rev. Marshall's Academy and in Washington College. He
studied medicine with Dr. R. F. Biddle, in the old office which
stood on corner of Main street and Church alley, where
now George A. Hoffman has his hardware store. He graduated
at the Cincinnati Medical College.  In'1841 he practiced a
short time in Greenfield, now Coal Centre, Washington county,
Pa. He subsequently removed to Lebanon, Ohio, where he
resided the remainder of his days.  In course of time he
abandoned the medical profession and adopted that of law.
He became prominent in politics and served in the Legislature
of Ohio for near twenty years.  During Grant's administration he was appointed Secretary of the Territory of Washlingtoil, and on the death of the incumbent was confirmed as
Governor.  He was also U. S. Consul to the Sandwich Islands.
His rare talent carried with it an ainbition that knew nothing
but to succeed.  He died December 16th, 1888, at his home
in Lebanon, Ohio.
Among the medical men in the nation is Dr. W. A. Hammond, once a boy in this city. He was born at Annapolis,
Md., August 28th, 1828, and at the age of four years immigrated to this city with his father, Dr. J. W. Hammond.  He,
with James S. Alexander and others, played many a game of
"Knucks" in the old market house.  He was Surgeon general
at the beginning of the late rebellion and is now on the retired
list. He is still hale and hearty.
In ministers of the gospel, this city has sent forth such men
as Samuel Hair, Thomas P. Gordon, G. M. Hair, Joseph
Kerr, A. H. Kerr, John Goucher, W. F. Hamilton, Thomas
Hodgeson, James P. Fulton, Robert H. Fulton, John
McFarland, O. M. Todd.
114The Old and New Mononga/hela.
Joseph P. Warne, William Coulter, S. B. Bentley and Mrs.
Jane Biddle have always had a continuous residence within
the limits of this city, and are perhaps more conversant with
its early history than any other persons.
Coulter was born in the old house on the corner of Main and
Second streets, Catsburg, in 1817.  We have traced his career
on another occasion.
S. B. Bentley was born in 1826, in the house known in later
days as the old M. E. Church, on the bank of the river.
S. B. Bentley has all his life been identified with the interests
of his native Monongahela City.  His recollections of the past
are very vivid; he can recall readily the names and doings of
all the active business men of his day.  He has been from his
youth a member of the Methodist E. Church, and to his persistent and prayerful efforts is indebted much of the standing
of that useful and influential branch of the church in this city.
Prior to 1840 we had no certain means to ascertain certainly
the population of this city.  From  that date we count on its
separate population, although the increase must be attributed,
to a certain degree, to the extension of its boundaries.
The population was in 1832.................. 600'  1840............ 752
"  " 1850.................. 977
1850.           977
"(    "C   1860.................. 999
1860.           999
*'  "   1870..................1,078
i'        "   1880..................2,904
"   1890..................4,065
We are indebted to the J-ionongakela D)emocrat, in its first
issue, for the following summary of the present business status
of the city:
It has 2 railroads--the Pennsylvania and Lake Erie systems,
10 churches, elegant school buildings, 16 schools-9 months in
the year and 1,000 scholars, I roller flour mill, 3 livery stables,
2 hotels, 2 sale stables, 2 machine shops, 2 founderies, 1 paper
mill, 2 planing mills, 3 lumber yards, 2 docks, 1 river toll
bridge, 1 fire engine, 1 hose company, I hook and ladder company, 1 city hall, 1 city jail, 3 insurance agencies, 2 banks 1.l115The Old and New MJiononqahela.
local, building and loan association, 4 national building and
loan associations, 2 coal works in city limits and dozens
near by, 2 brick works, 1 water works, 1 electric light
plant, natural gas, artificial gas, city sewerage and paved
streets (vitrified brick) in course of construction, 1 window
glass factory, 1 electric experiment station, 1 haulage engine
factory, 1 carborundum  works, 1 manilla paper factory, pick
handle factory, 1 lampwick factory, 1 miner's lamp factory, 1
pitcar factory, 1 real estate office, 1 opera house, 3 newspapers,
2 dailies, 2 weeklies, 1 monthly, 3 photograph galleries. It
has 5 lawyers, 9 physicians, 4 dentists, 3 journalists, 4 notaries public 9 bankers, 3 insurance agents, 8 ministers."
Such the past and such the present of your prosperous and
rapidly growing city. What the future shall be depends upon
your continued energy, determination and public spirit, and
that of the generations to come.  The forefathers in looking
into the future failed to anticipate such results in 100 years as
confront the present inhabitants of this city.
It takes no flight of fancy or prophetic genius to foreshadow
its outcome in another 100 years.  You have the elements to
make it a metropolitan city, and it requires no stretched imagination to assert that within that period 50,000 people will be
iinbraced within its limits, doing honor to the memory of the
man who dared in the wilderness to lay the foundation of such
a city-and that man's name was PARKISON.
WEST MONONGAHELA.
This town is situated immediately below and adjoining Monongahela City.  It was located and laid out into lots, suitable
avenues and streets by H. lligenbotham in 1893.  It is on the
south side of the Mlonongahela river and has a long river front
of deep water.  It is on the Pittsburgh, Virginia  Charleston
railroad, with a good prospect of being on a branch of the
Baltimore  Ohio railroad.  A company is already organized
to construct an electric road passing throiugh the town, and the
facilities of natural gas, electric light and water works are
within reach at any time.
116The Old and New iMonongahela.
The town is situated on a beautiful plateau, capable of easy
drainage and  free from  all marsh.  For manufacturing
purposes there are no better sites in the valley.  Already
the Thomas Wightman Glass Co. has located its extensive
works in the town and are rapidly completing a plant which
will employ 300 hands.  Other capitalists are about erecting
plants of various kinds.  The proprietor has a coal frontage of
15,000 acres, an amount sufficient to furnish fuel for ages to
come.
Mr. H. Higenbotham  is a man of indomitable energy and
business force, having started in the battle of life on his own
resources at the age of eleven years.  He was born in Masontown, Fayette county, Pa.  He is the son of Theodore Higenbotham, who was the son of Samuel Higenbotham, an early
settler in that country.  Mr. H. Higenbotham has an abiding
faith in the future greatness of the Monongahela valley.  His
new enterprise is already a success and foreshadows a near
future when this town will be dotted over with manufactories
of every variety, adding untold wealth to the capitalist and
constant employment to skill and labor.
MONONGAHELA ONLY.
In postoffice circles there will be no Monongahela City after
April 1st, 1893, but thereafter when writing to Col. Ilazzard's
town the place should be designated as plain Monongahela.
The following from the Afonongahela Repunbl,icanb explains itself:
POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT, 1
WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 13th, 1893.
You are respectfully informed that an order has been made
changing the name of Monongahela City to Monongahela, to
take effect April lst, 1893.
E. E. RATHBORNE,
Fourth Assistant P. M. General.
10
117i118  Te Old and New JJ1fmonovqahela,.
THE MONONGAHELA CITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The early history of this church is not very satisfactory,
owing to the absence of records. In 1812 two local preachers,
brothers, named Riggs, organized a class at the house of
Samuel Baxter, who then lived on the farm  lately owned by
Ira Butler, Esq., but now by Hiram Rabe, in Horseshoe, as a
certain part of Carroll township is called. The class was composed of the two Riggs, Sanmuel Baxter and wife, and some of
their children, and John R. Shugart and wife. A short time
prior to the organization of this class another was formed at
Father Preston's, and the two in due time beoame appointments under the title of the Beallsville circuit. It was in 1813,
however, that the first class was formed in the town, the
records of which are lost.
Ainong the members of this class were John R. Shugart
and wife, who left the other class for convenience sake.  Mrs.
Shugart was a daughter of Samuel Baxter, above named. She
died, as well as her husband, many years ago, and are yet
remembered as pillars in the church. Mr. Shugart for long
years carried on the saddle and harness business on the corner
of AMain and Third streets, now oceupied by the large brick
building belonging to J. B. Boyer heirs. He was a good
workman, a good citizen and a good christian.  Polly Baxter,
a sister of Mrs. Shugart, was another melnber of this town class.
Mrs. Vandever, at whose house the class held its first meeting,
with her two daughters, belonged to the same class. Mrs.
Vandever lived in a house owned by William Wickerham, corner
of Race, now Third street, and Cherry alley. One of her
daughters married Peter Shouse, the well-known boat builder
of early days; his wife went with him  to the Presbyterian
church.  The other daughter married Robert Bebee, also a
boat builder.  Mrs. Elizabeth MclNary was also a member of
this class. She was a sister of the late William P. Biles, who
in his later days was kind of a lawyer.  He lived in an old
house on Main street, near the present residence of Dr. C. B.
118The Old and Ne?w JJonongahelar.
Wood.  A short time after the class was formed iEneas
Graham and wife joined it. She was the daughter of Daniel
DePue, Esq., who was commissioned Justice of the Peace
March 12, 1793, by Governor Thomas Mifflin.  His peculiar
signature is attached to many of the old acknowledgments
of deeds.  In a short time after the class had got under fair
headway Robert Bebee joined it.
This class really was the successor of the Riggs' class, and
both were properly merged into one. The class was led by
the preacher who held his first services in the house of Mrs.
Vandever, where the class held its meetings. The leading of
the class by the preacher was soon abandoned, and AEneas
Grahanm was elected leader and to have the spiritual care of
the little flock, from which nucleus has grown the present
large and influential congregation.
If the spirits of the saved are permitted to hover around the
living, then is his spirit near that church where the outcroppings of his early training are visibly seen in the multitude who
have come into the fold of Christ through the means of this
church.
The rapid increase of the class under the leadership of Mr.
Graham soon required larger accommodations.  Robert Bebee
gave it a room in his dwelling, then on the bank of the river,
afterward owned by Jonathan Pierce, known as the Wilson
row, in honor of Alexander Wilson, who formerly was a prominent merchant in town, living in the house on Main street
now occupied as storerooms and owned by Mark Borland and
Landefeld.  This room was also the place of preaching.  It
was, however, soon too small, and the class and preaching was
removed to the old log school house where the Presbyterians
also had their preaching, on which afterwards a public school
house of three rooms was erected, the school house still remaiining and used as a dwelling house. The old log school
house becoming unfit to occupy, the roof leaking and windows
broken, the place of preaching was removed to an old house
once used as a barracks for troops on Main street, on a lot
119The Old and -Vew ifonongahela.
now owned by Daniel Swickard.  Besides this place, the class
and preaching were very often held in private houses in the
neighborhood.  William Jones, of whom we have written in
another place, was a member of this class.  The next place of
preaching was in the brick church on the hill, which was built
on a general subscription, the Presbyterians having an exclusive right to occupy it every third Sabbath, the balance of the
time it could be used by any evangelical denomination.
The Methodist E. Church rapidly increased its membership
by conversions and otherwise, especially by members moving
into town fronm other places, among whom were Rev. John
White, father of Judge J. W. F. White, of Pittsburgh, and
Wm. Ihmsen, with Andrew, James and Winm. Mills. In 1827
the congregation purehased the house which, in a remodeled
style, for many years stood just below the Second street wharf,
on the bank of the river, but now torn down. The house
originally had a brick first story. This was taken down and a
gallery and wings were added to the old building. Soon after
taking possession of this church, the Sabbath school was first
organized, the' late Thomas Collins being chosen superintendent. The matter of having a church of their own seemed to
infuse new life into the congregation, so that in the year 1833
it had grown into such a position that they asked the conference to send them a station preacher, which was responded to
by sending them Rev. Charles Cooke. At the second Quarterly Conference, held in December, 1833, it was resolved to
make an effort to build a new church, and a committee was
appointed, which afterwards constituted a Board of Trustees,
to see what could be done in the way of raising money and
selling the old church.  This committee consisted of Joseph
Alexander, Wm. Ihmsen and Wm. Mills.  The next Quarterly Conference met March 18, 1834, and was composed of
Charles Elliot, Presiding Elder; Rev. Charles Cooke, preacher
in charge; Dr. David Johnson, local preacher; Winm. Mills and
David Sherbondy, Stewards; Ira R. Butler, Cyrus Black, Wm.
Ilhmsen, Joseph Warne, A,neas Graham, Asher Vankirk and
120The Old and New Wononqgacela.
John Hull, leaders.  At this meeting the trustees, the number
of which had been increased by the addition of Wm. Ihmsen,
John R. Shugart and A. L. Williams, reported that they had
raised by subscription eleven hundred dollars; that Wm. Ihmsen
had donated a lot on the corner of Race, now Third street, and
Spring alley, 50 by 80 feet, and that they had sold the old
church for 125,000 brick, to be delivered at four dollars per
thousand.  The report was received and the Trustees were
ordered to contract for the building of a brick house 44 by 62
feet with a gallery. They contracted with Samuel Devore to
build it so far as to enclose in and lay the floors for $1,600.
We are not informed who laid the brick, but Charles Reding
did the carpenter work. The job was a good one, and at the
day of its removal there was not a crack in it. During its existence a storm blew in the western gable end, but that was not
the fault of the work. Whilst fixing in place the upper joists
the late Andrew Clark was injured by falling through two tier
of joist to the ground.  His injuries were so severe as to ever
afterwards prevent him from walking. Ile lived on the pike
above Ginger Hill, was Postmaster for a while and Justice of
Peace for many years, and was always considered a man of
sterling integrity.  The building committee of this church have
all passed away. Wm. Ihmsen, so long identified with the
business of the town, died long ago, leaving Joseph Wilson one
of his executors. Win. Mills married Lucinda Speer, of Bellevernon, Pa.  He carried on the mercantile business for some
years in the firm of Mills  Storer, in the old storeroom above
the present residence of Dr. George A. Liinn, on Main street,
and in other places in town, either alone or in company. He
was quite a politician, taking an active part in the campaign of
1840; was a candidate for the Legislature, but suffered defeat.
He moved to Washington where he was a member of the firm
of Mills  Baily; was also in business alone on the corner of
Main and Wheeling streets; studied law and was admitted to
the Washington bar in August, 1855; moved shortly after this
date to Davenport, Iowa,.where he remained until his death.
121The Old and Yew Monongahela.
Among the active leaders who took part in the building of this
church none were more interested than iEneas Grahain. He
died May 7, 1848, and his remains were interred in the old
graveyard. He was one of the good of earth. He was long
one of the pillows in the church, and was looked upon by saint
and sinner as a model Christian gentleman.  Small in stature,
neat in attire, erect in his gate, pleasant in manner, intelligent
in mind, kind in his domestic circle and honest in his dealings
among men. He was a tailor by trade.  He built the brick
house now owned by Mrs. Phillips, corner of Main and Third
streets, and in it for many years carried on the merchant tailoring business. His daughter Sarah was the first wife of S. B.
Bentley, who survives her.  Another daughter married the late
Joel Ferree; both are dead. Ashur Vankirk was another
leader of that day.  His wife was a daughter of James Manown. He carried on the chairmaking business at that time
on the "Island," as it was called.  He died in McKeesport
not many years since.
In order to complete the history of the Methodist E. Church
we take the liberty of inserting, entire, the proceeding had on
the Semi-Centennial celebration, as published in the Jfonongahela Republican, September 24, 25, 1883.
MAKING HISTORY.
That was a happy inspiration of Father Underwood, thai
this being the 50th year of the establishment of this church aa station it were well to celebrate the event. Pastor Nesbiti
arranged a program, and yesterday both morning and eveninG
services were devoted to historical papers and memoria
addresses.  A, neatly printed programme was served bearing
some of the old hymns, which during the services the choii
sang to old-time melodies.  The first paper was read by Mrs
Vandella Fell Wickerham upon
PLACES OF WORSHIP.
The beginning of Methodism at Parkisons Ferry, after
wards Williamsport, now Monongahela City, were humblh
122The Old and New Mononrgahela.
but full of promise.  For thirteen years after its origin it had
no place of worship it could call its own, but tabernacled in
private dwellings or in rented buildings.  It is interesting to
note the places where its meetiilgs were held.
1st.  In 1.813 Mrs. Vandever, living on the corner of Race
street and Cherry alley, opened her house for class meetings
and preaching.
2d.  After about three years the meetings were transferred
to an upper room in the home of Robert Bebee on the river
bank.   They  continued  there  until they  out-grew  the
capacity of the room.
3d. Then a log house on Main street that had been used as
a barracks for troops was reiited and  used as a house
of worship.
4th.  From this the society transferred its meetings to the
old "'log school house " that long stood on spring alley.
5th. The fifth place used for holding its meetings was the
old union church on the hill.  An incident that occurred there
aroused in the members an ambition to have a house of their
own.
6th. As the result, in 1826, a private dwelling standing on
the bank of the river, was purchased, remodeled and fitted up
as a place of worship.  This was occupied for nine years, and
then the growth of the society required a more commodious
building.
7th.  In 1834 a new church was commenced on the corner
of Race and Chess streets, on a lot donated to the society by
Wm. Ihmsen.  That building was completed in the spring of
1835, and dedicated in May of that year by the pastor, Rev.
Charles Cooke. For thirty-two years worship was conducted
there.
8th.  The present building is the third house of worship
owned by the society, and the eighth place where it has held
regular meetings.  The initial steps towards securing this site
and putting up this building were taken in 1864, when Rev.
Ezra Hingely was pastor.  The building committee appointed
123Th6e Old antd V-ew Joinommqahela.             1
Pennsylvania, or Virginia, as it was originally called.  The
road over which this unfortunate man traveled in mlarching to
llis fatal battlefield on the Monongahela is still marked and well
known in history. The early immigrants were genlerally from the
eastern states, although many came direct from foreign countries. The Scotch-Irish were among the most prominentt settlers,
and did much by their manners and strict habits to give caste
to the different settlements.  The early settlers encountered
many and very hazardous dangers and difficulties wlich in modern times cannot be fully estimated.  Block houses for refuge
and defense were established in every community into which
in timnes of threatened danger families resorted.  These houses
were different from  Indian forts.  They were built of round
logs, compact and capable of resisting the arrow of tthe enemy.
(Guns, generally held by the whites, were used in defense and
proved superior to the war implements of the attacking party.
On landing in their new home the first duty was to erect a
cabin for shelter, and then to select a suitable spot to cultivate
for use when the stores carried with them  were exhausted.
The cabin was built of round logs, the interstices were chunked
and daubed with common clay, or catan clay, whicll was a mixture of clay and grass, or straw.  The chimney was on the outside and made of split logs at the bottom or fireplace, so called,
and the top was of smaller split sticks, the whole being well
daubed withl clay mortar.  The fireplace was lined with stone
and mortar so as as to prevent it catching fire.  The floor,
where there was any, was made of split logs hewn in shape to
closely fit together.  One window furnished the light, and one
door hung on wooden hinges, with a latch and string, the mode
of entrance.  The latter drawn in was the lock to prevent entrance.  The latchstring hanginlg out was always a token of
welcome to the cabin.  The furniture was for the most part
rude and made impromptu; the chairs and tables were homemlade.  The grand old chest, brought fromi the east, was ample
for clothing. The cupboard ware was pewter, and the bed and
bedding were brought with them. There was no bedstead save
7'The Old and -New Monongahela.
by the Quarterly conference was composed of O. C. House,
R. M. Clark, Daniel Pierce, Alexander Scott, E. L. King,
R. Stockdale, Joseph Alexander, James Williams, John Blythe,
Cyrus Underwood, Robert Coulter, Joel T. Ferree, Isaac Jones,
Col. Joseph Taylor, C. R. Stuckslager and S. P. Keller. The
present site was purchased from Messrs. John and Henry
Shaefer. In 1867 the lecture room was finished, opened, dedicated and used, and in 1878 the main audience room.  Rev.
Dr. W. A. Davidson officiated in the dedication of the lecture
room and the pastor and Rev. A. B. Leonard in that of the
main audience room.  The building and lot cost about $45,000.
It is now about seventy years since Methodism was planted in
this place, and this fine building is a monument both of its
spirit and its activity.
Mr. Cyrus Underwood then spoke of the fragmentery charater of the records; the almost successful efforts now to put
tradition on record, connected by the best data obtainable; of
such character were the chapters in Dr. Creigh's history, in
Boyd Cunningham's later history and in Doctor Van Voorhis'
historical sketches, published in the Republican. He said: I
came first here fromn Brownsville, in December, 1831, and in
1834 moved here permanently, during Rev. Cooke's pastorate;
was a class leader from 1834 to 1854.  He referred to a disputed point on the membership of the first class, but thought
the matter tolerably certain now.  When Brant built his grist
mill to meet the growing wants of the town he employed two
brothers named Riggs, millwrights, they being local preachers,
organized that first class. They boarded at Baxter's, on the
present farm  of Ira Butler.  This was then in the Baltimore
Conference, and in the Blairsville circuit.  He spoke of the
early church movements at Parkison's Ferry; said that when
Judge Gordon first came here, he was the only church member
in the place.  He related the incident which lead the Methodists to rent a room for their own use. When the church on
the hill was built by general subscription, it was provided that
the Presbyterians were to occupy it every third Sabbath, and
124The Old "an,d New iWonongahela.
on other Sabbaths the pulpit could be occupied by any regularly ordained evangelical preacher. One day Mr. White announced that "Lorenzo Dow  would preach next Thursday
evening."  Dr. Ralston said "iNo."  "Why not," asked
White. 4"Because he is not a regularly ordained minister,"
answered the Doctor.  However, it was insisted that he was,
and on Thursday, Dow, with a large crowd, assembled, but no
fire, no light, the doors closed. The evening was bitter cold,
and by the time the door was opened, fire and light
procured, the shivering Methodists had fully made up their
minds to have a house of their own. Mr. Underwood joined
Ira Butler's class, and he wound up his very interesting sketch
by reviewing the past, and concluded by saying, "As I look
over these past years, so full of precious memories, so filled
with mercies and blessings, and know that I am still with you
to see the infant church grown to vigorous manhood, firmly
planted in the hearts of this people, I can only lift my heart
in prayer and thankfulness, and say, "How  good the Lord
hath been."
Miss Carrie E. Coulter then read a paper entitled,
MINISTERS WHO HAVE SERVED.
The beginning of Methodism at Parkison's Ferry has already
been traced to the two brothers Riggs, local preachers, who
took up the appointment and visited it for an indefinite period
every three weeks.  From their time until 1833, a period of
twenty years, the appointment formed a part of the Beallsville
circuit, and was served by such well known men as Revs. Thos.
M. Hudson, Joshua Monroe, James G. Sansom, William Stevens and Samuel P. Brockunier. In 1833, Williamsport, then
the name of the place, was erected into a station, and Rev.
Chas. Cooke was sent by the Pittsburgh Conference as the first
stationed preacher.  His successors in the pastorate down to
the present time are as follows: Matthew Simpson, Christopher
Hodgson, William Hunter, Alcinus Young, Nathaniel Callendar, Wm. Lemon, Ebenezer Hays, E. P. Jacob, L. H. Costin,
125iThe Old and New Monongaaela.
Charles Thorn, Wesley Smith, Caleb Foster, Geo. S. Holmes,
Josiah Mansell, Peter F. Jones, A. G. Williams, S. F. Minor,
L. R. Beacom, J. C. Brown, A. J. Endsley, Ezra Hingely, A.
W. Butts, H. Miller, S. M. Sickman, Ed. Williams, T. N.
Boyle, W. Lynch, R. L. Miller, J. S. Bracken, I. A. Pearce
and S. H. Nesbit.  This makes thirty-two in all who have
served the appointment in its fifty years as a station.  The
ministers who served the appointment before it became a station
have all passed on to their reward. Twelve of the thirty-two
who have served it as a station have also ended their labors and
entered into rest. These are Chas. Cooke, Christopher Hodgson, William Hunter, Alcinus Young, Nathaniel Callender,
Wm. Lemon, Ebenezer Hays, L. H. Costin, Charles Thorn,
Caleb Foster, Geo. S. Holmes and Peter F. Jones (who died
while pastor here, and Rev. Cyrus Black filled out his time).
Whether E. P. Jacobs and A. C. Williams be living or dead
is not now known. But the remaining eighteen are still living
and, with one exception, in the active work of the ministry.
This paper would be incomplete if it should end without a personal notice of some of the eminent men who first served the
appointment as a station. Charles Cooke, tender, loving and
beloved, transferred to the Philadelphia Conference, served
several of the best churches in Philadelphia, and at last ended
his days and labors in that city.  Matthew Simpson is now
Senior Bishop of the Methodist E. Church, a place of loftier
eminence than any earthly throne.
Christopher Hodgson, earnest and convincing in argument,
married a daughter of the early society, and his descendant,
Rev. Thomas S. Hodgson, is perpetuating his name and his
ability in the ministry, and William Hunter, eminent as a
theologian, as editor, as educator, is still more eminent as poet.
His hymns and songs are a rich legacy to the church.  Time
will not permit to further name and characterize the ministers
that have served this charge.  It must suffice to say that they
did their work well, and made for us to-day a rich and beautiful heritage. Of the fathers we may all be proud. May their
126The'Old and New Mfonongahela.
sons in the gospel do as well in their day. Mr. Joseph Warne
was prevented by sickness from being present and R. M. Clark
made the concluding address. Mr. Clark said that John Wesley
once said that we must not do our duty just when we feel like
it. We must do our duty when the occasion comes. He did
not feel like speaking, but Dr. Nesbitt had put him on the
program and made it his duty to say something. An old
Quaker had once told him "' Robert, when thee has nothing to
say, say it."  He had a few words to say, and looking back
forty years so many blessings crowded to his memory that he
must speak a word for the Master.  He thought the class
meeting a peculiar means of grace; he enjoyed them. His
disposition was to look on the sunny side of life, and in the
class he never told a doleful story; if he had nothing cheerful
to say he said nothing. He believed in saying encouraging
things, and this morning was fuill of promise and bright with
hope. He was born in Lycoming county, of Presbyterian
parentage; he had learned the teachings of that church, and
its traditions too; he had been led to look upon the Methodists
as " bad people" in a certain sense, and went from home with
that idea.  He boarded at Williamsport with a good Methodist
family, and found out that they were real Christians. One
evening he happened to pass a room where class meeting was
being held.  At that time a " word " or ticket from the class
leader was required and the door-keeper refused me admittance. A good lady just inside the door said " Will you pray
if you come in?"  I told her I did not know much about that
kind of business, but I would behave myself anyhow. I went
in and heard a brother tell what the Lord had done for him;
and a good woman came and laid her hand on my head, and
said in her sweet persuasive voice "Don't you want to be a
Christian?" I thank God to-day for the warm heart and
sweet voice of that good woman. And that is why I love the
class meeting. Some people say Methodism is not what it was
fifty years ago. I think it is broader, deeper, wider than ever
before.  Mr. Clark concluded his very interesting talk by ex127hlie Old and New 3fonongahela.
pressing a fervent wish that he would live his life out and die
here among the people he loved. The services were of exceeding interest throughout.
A still larger audience assembled for the evening services.
Rev. Dr. Nesbitt, after the singing, asked Miss Millie G.
Bentley to read a paper, which she did as follows, entitled
OFFICIAL MEMBERS.
The earliest Methodists in this place held their meetings in
private houses or in rented buildings. This continued for thirteen years, or from the origin of the movement, in 1813, to the
year 1826. In the beginning of that period, IEneas Graham,
as already seen, was class leader, and John P..Shugart class
steward. At the end of that period, as nearly as can be ascertained, there were three classes, led respectively by' Aineas
Graham, Asher Vankirk and James Mills.  In 1826 William
Jones, iEneas Graham and Robert Beebe, appointed a committee by the Quarterly Conference of the Beallsville Circuit,
for the purchase of a three-story building standing on the river
bank, and had it remodeled and made into a two-story church.
It seems fairly certain that during the nine years of worship
David Sherbondy was added to the list of class leaders, making
in all probability a fourth class. It is impossible at this day to
tell who were stewards during the period when the appointment
remained a part of Beallsville circuit.  Some of the Trustees
holding the property on the river bank were Wm. Jones, lEneas
Graham, Robert Beebe, Asher Vankirk, Joseph Alexander and
William and John Herron. James Mills was a local preacher.
The removal of the society from the church on the river bank
to the new church on the corner of Race and Chess streets took
place in May, 1835.  The Trustees that then existed and that
have since been elected, are as follows: ~Eneas Graham, A.
Vankirk, J. Alexander, James Mills, Cyrus Underwood, John
Herron, James Williams, David Williams, H. M. Bentley,
Charles Rose, James Officer, Winm. Cott, R. M. Clark, Robert
Coulter, Hiram Filson, J. F. Ferree, O. C. House, James
-128The Old and Xew XJionongahela.            129
Allenl, R. F. Cooper, Abram Van Voorhis, S. P. Keller, Daniel
Pierce, C. R. Stuckslager, Isaac Jones, William Coulter, Joseph
Warne, John Blythe, Geo. T. Scott, M. Borland, J. D. Hammond, R. E. Byers and E. D)owner.  Of these thirty-four that
held office during the half century just passed, seventeen have
passed to their reward and seventeen are still on these mortal
shores.
It has been found impossible, because of defective records,
to give the names of local preachers, the exhorters, the stewards
and the class leaders, that have served the society in the past
fifty years. Revs. James Mills and John White, father of
Judge White of Allegheny county, stand on the fragmentary
records as class leaders at different times.  They were located
here and in business.  In 1834 the class leaders were Ira Butler, Winm. Ihmsen, Asher Vankirk, David  Sherbondy and
Joseph Warne. Rev. Charles Cooke also had charge of two
classes, making a total number of seven classes at that time.
It is a question of serious and practical import-have we
been wise in allowing the class meetings to fall into a state of
comparative decay? We have but three classes to-day. Ought
we not to have ten? And if ten, and well attended, would
there not come upon us a new aggressive life and force?
A. V. Graham said the services had revived memories of his
childhood. He knew most of the men named, and was proud
that his own family name had borne such a part among those
who had helped to lay the cornerstone and worked all these
years at the edifice.  I{e referred especially to the Sunday
school, and said he could say he had spent his life in the Sunday school.  It had kept pace with the sentiment of the day
and had grown to be a part of the church, nursery, a recruiting
station. He remembered when one person filled the offices of
superintendent, secretary, treasurer, librarian, and taught a
class besides.  Now we have four librarians.  He remembered
back to Hunter, third in the list of preachers; remembered
Holmes, who interested the young folks of the town, lectured
to,them during the wek on scientific and literary subjects. He0The Old and New ifononqahela.
had peculiarities. One warm day, when some of the members
dozed, he sat down, and said he would give the sleepers a
chance to have their nap out.  He was annoyed by members
putting their hats on within the church, after the benediction,
and broke it up by saying that he would " name out " those
who did it again. Mr. Graham concluded by an apostrophe to
the fathers, and asked that the seed they planted should be
assiduously cultivated by those into whose keeping the garden
of the Lord had been bequeathed-a priceless legacy.
I-is reminiscence of Holmes recalled to Dr. Nesbitt an incident at Morgantown where Holmes was sent by the old midsummer conference. He found that the leading men, like Senator Willie, Dr. McLean the vermifuge man, and others,
regularly wenlt to sleep during service. They were not only
pillars of the church but sleepers, too. One day when the nap
was on, he quietly said to the congregation, i"I will take a moment's rest; please sing Days of Absence, and remain seated
while you sing."  It was the custom to "'rise and sing," but
the congregation joined in, remaining seated. Awakened by
the singing, the sleepers suddenly rose up, thinking it the concluding hymn.  They looked sort of sheep like, seeing no one
else up, and presently sank into their seats abashed. That cured
the nap business. Prof. J. P. Taylor, who has been seven
years Superintendent of the Sabbath school, read a statistical
paper full of facts of much interest.  We have room for a few
of them.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The school was organized and Thonmas Collins, Esq.,
deceased, its first superintendent, served from  1827 to 1833,
then Abraham Hull in 1833. David Sherbundy in 1834,
William lMills in 1836, William IHerron in 1838, John Herron
in 1840, Joel T. Ferree in 1843, Cyrus Underwood in 1844,
Robert MeLardy  in 1845-47, brother-in-law  of Raphael
Coulter; William Cott in 1848, Cyrus Underwood in 1854-57,
R. M. Clark in 1852, Cyrus Black iD 1855-56, Joel T. Ferree
in 1857-58, S. B. Bentley in 1859--60, O. C. House in 1861,
130The Old acd New i Xonongahela.
S. B. Bentley and F. F. Kernan in 1862, F. F. Kernan in
1863, O. C. House in 1864, Dr. E. L. King in 1865, F. F.
Kernanl in 1866, Dr. J. W. L. Rabe in 1867, S. B. Bentley
in 1868, R. H. Young in 1870-71, J. D. Hammond in 1872,
R. H. Young in 1873, S. B. Bentley in 1874, R. H. Young
in 1875-76, J. P. Taylor in 1877-83. Owing to the records
of the Sabbath school prior to the year 1862 being lost, we can
give no positive history of the number of officers, teachers or
scholars of the school. The first we get is April 13, 1862,
when the attendance was 208; at that time there were 9 officers,
27 teachers, and a total membership of 312.
June 15th of this year Emma Norfolk, Mary Gibbs. Josephine
Shepler, Anna Young, Emma Clark, Amanda Filson, Fanny
Cott, Emory Graham, Eva'Graham, Mattie Heyser and Ella
I-eyser were presented with a music book for committing the
Lord's prayer. The whole number of books in the library at
this time was 883; 60 of these books were spelling books. The
average attendance, 155 during the quarter ending July 1st.
September 21st S. B. Bentley resigned and entered the army,
joining the 140th regiment.  Teachers John Blythe, O. C.
House, S. Applegate, J. C. Brown, M. W. Mitchener and F.
F. Kernan entered the military service of the state guards, but
were all home in two weeks -and at work.  Perhaps they were
back in one week but were too tired to be at Sabbath school.
January 12, 1868, the Sabbath school met for the first time
in the present building, S. B. Bentley, superintendent; the
infant department in the hands of sister Mary Scott.  Up to
this time, while there has been an increase in membership, the
daily attendance scarcely ever exceeds 200, ranging from 125
to 185. The collections heretofore less than one dollar are
about four dollars. March lst, 1868, the Sabbath school room
was dedicated, sermon by Rev. W. A. Davidson. April 25th,
1868, Mary Scott resigned as teacher of the infant department,
numbering about 55, and Miss Nan Scott was installed in her
stead.
August, 1870, sometime during the month, D. (C. Valentine
1313  The Old and New iMononqgahela.
died, date not given; he presents as good if not the best daily
minutes of the Sabbath school found in any of the books.
During the year one grand revolution and advance was made
in the Sabbath school work-the bureau system was invented.
February 5th, 1871, 275 volumes of books were donated to
Dry Run and Leechburg schools; 1872, the daily attendance
now runs from 165 to 250; 1873, international lesson leaf;
January 2d, 1876, the school reached its highest attendance,
315.  The speaker referred in passing to faithful teachers, to
the triumphant deaths of those who had gone before, and
closed with an earnest appeal for more workers and more
earnestness in the work.
Miss Sallie Graham then read a paper, entitled, the Society
and its growth.
Two brothers by the name of Riggs began preaching and
organized a class about 1812 at the home of Samuel Baxter, ill
Carroll township, on the farm  now owned by Ira Butler.
About these two brothers but little has been preserved, except
that they were batchelors, followed the occupation of millwrights, and lived up and across the river, most likely in the
neighborhood of Fell's church. Though their memories are
not perpetuated in monumental marble, they gave birth to influences that will be imperishable. So far as can now be ascertained they were the first MIethodist preaehers that ever
preached in this neighborhood. Their visits to Parkison's Ferry
began in 1813. They preached every third Sabbath, organized
a class and led it on each of their visits.  The first members of
that class are pretty satisfactorily determined as John R. Shugart and wife, Letitia, Mrs. Vandever and her two daughters,
Robert Beebe, Mrs McNary and Polly Baxter.  Such was the
seed planted seventy years ago. The class led every third
Sabbath by the preachers was otherwise without a leader till
uneas Grahain and his wife united with it, and he in a short
time was made leader. This was in the latter part of 1813 or
early in 1814.  Thereafter the growth of the young society
was rapid, and among its earlier additions were Elias Watkins
132The Old and NYew Aiono,ya,hela.
and wife, Mrs. Mary Black, Mrs. Verner, mother-in-law of
Bishop Simpson, Mrs. MeNary and Nancy Roberts and William
Jones, and the Padens, the Philipses and David Sherbondy
and wife. Later along the society was further enlarged by
such names as the Wickerhams, the Woodwards, the Warnes,
the Alexanders, the Herrons, the Youngs, the Swartzs, the
Mills, the Cotts, the Bentleys, the Coulters, the Hulls, the
Collinses and the Williains. The eight members in 1813 had
reached 300 in 1833, and now, fifty years later, are inl excess
of 400.  Such is some of the fruitage of the seed planted here
by the Riggs brothers seventy years since.  It has grown into
a tree of beauty and casts on every side a grateful shade.  For
the living of to-day the fathers have made this wilderness to
bloom as a garden of the Lord. They, themselves, having
finished their work, have, the most of them, passed to their rest.
We hail and recall to-day those faithful men and women who
filled up the measure of their days in serving God and doing
good, and then entered into the gloryland. And we invoke
blessings upon their co-workers who have come down to our
times as so many relics of the heroic age of Methodism.
Green be the path beneath them,
And beautiful the sunset at evening.
The society has had a growth at once substantial and encouraging, but certainly more rapid and viigorous in the earlier
thaTn in the later times.  In the first twenty years it grew from
eight members to 300, and in its fifty years as a station it
has only grown from 300 to 420 members.  Is it not fitting
that we ask ourselves to-day, are we doing in our place as well
as did our fathers?
J. C. Swickard, one of the most earnest class workers in the
society, spoke on that subject which was near to heart, lie was
a warm lover of the class.  In the grand hlistory of our local
MLethodism, running back 70 years, it began with a class
organized, and in the days of its greatest prosperity there were
eight or teii classes. At a class meetiilg near Bentleysville, he
went inl, just why he didn't know, but while there lie heard
11
13 03-The Old and New Mjnoql/a7tela.
that made by the few tools on hand from split timber.  Immigration generally took place in the spring of the year, so that
the first crop to be raised was corn and flax, the former to provide food for man and beast and the latter for clothing.  The
cabin was always located near a spring from  which could be
obtained water for the household and stock. The early settlers
differed very much  in the choice of location, some preferring the high and others tlle low lands.  Along the creeks
sites for sawmills were the choice of those who had a genius
for water machinery, although the original mills were the wind
mill and the tramp mill.
EARLY NAVIGATION.
The primnitive mode of navigation onl the Moniongabela consisted in the simple Indian canloe, propelled by an oar or oars
according to the taste of the owner.  The canoe was beautifully constructed by the unskilled hanld and his bark, thlus
built was the pride of the untutored heart.  Generally they
were made from a solid section of a tree hewn into shape by
the rude tomnalhawk.  Sometimes the material was of bark arnd
nicely ornamented.  The successor to the canoe was the skiff,
as it is now called. The origiiial freight crafts were constructed
in the formn  of rafts of logs, but on the coming into date of
the saw mills, the flatboat or broad horn took their place. The
flatboats served a good purpose for many years and were superseded in the early part of the present cejntury by the keelboat.  Keelboats gave place in due time to steamboats.  The
first steamboat was built in the valley at West Brownsville but
by whom and when is Ilot fully settled.  The Enlterprise, it is
generally believed, was the first constructed in the valley.
MAONONGAHELA NAVIGATION COMPANY.
After several attempts to have the general government permnanently improve the navigation of the Monongahela, without
any practical success the "Monongahela Navigation Company'"
81lThe Old and New,on(onyCa,hela.
that good man Richard Richardson give his experience, saying
that he knew, he felt in his heart that he "had found his
Saviour." I could inot say that, and was then and there I resolved, and I never was satisfied till I had found that Saviour
so precious to him, so dear to me. That is why I love the
class. I was put in brother Clark's class, then Dr. Rabe's
and finally Dr. Bracken asked me to take charge of the class.
I felt my unworthiness, but I thank God now for the privilege
it gives me to mingle my joys with those of my brethren. The
preached word is a solace and a comfort, but religion gathers
strength in the class room.  God help us all to do our duty.
Dr. INesbit announced that he would endeavor to place on
record succint history of the church up to the time
when the regular record began.  In  his introduction of
the several speakers the Doctor was peculiarly happy, and in
all the services there was a warm, generous feeling which
showed how happily united were pastor and people in the celebration now drawn to a close. Sunday was a half mile stone
on the journey toward the Promised Land, and the 23d of
September, 1883, will long remain written with a gilt star on
the date in the annals of local church history.
Mr. S. B. Bentley said this was a proud day to him, as he
heard his family name so long and so intimately interwoven in
words and works for the advancement of the Methodist Church.
He wondered how old he really was when he heard all this
back history repeated, and when he thought over how many
of the old people he had personally known. The history of
his family was a part of the town as well as of the church.
His grandfather came in 1794; his mother was born here in
1795, in the old house which stood on the river bank below
whiere Mr. Bearer lives.  He seemed to have been always in
the church; aimong his earliest recollections were being stood
up on the broad altar-board, singing the old-time hymns as he
learned them from his grandmother.  My brethrenx, the singing now is more artistic, but the hymns of those days coner/tetd
people. (A voice: Please sinlg onie). To this request Bentley sanlg
134The Old and New JioinongaAhela.
"Saw ye my Savior and God," and the good old song must
have awakened memories, for here and there a " treble " voice
piped up in the chorus, showing that age had not forgotten the
tunes of long ago-childhood.  Some one asked him " Where
will we be fifty years hence, when our centennial is celebrated?"
He answered, " We will be gone."  And oh! my brethren,
what record will we make that the speaker on that occasion
can refer to somethz,in( we have done or said that will be worth
remembering; worth repeating.  He had been singing with
the choir for thirty-five years, and at many a funeral, at merry
makings and at meetings. Is there any one here who dare say
that Christians may not be united in the great choir which will
gather to sing the grand song-when our King shall be crowned
-and the saved shall sing Hozannas forever.
CYRus UNDERWOOD
Died at his home, corner Coal and Sixth streets, Monongahela
City, Wednesday evening, November 11, 1885. The Da;il
R6 2?ael;lcan in noticing his death, remarks: Cyrus Underwood
was born in Baltimore, Md., August 28, 1807. He was married in 1826 to Miss Rebecca Shriver. Eleven children blessed
their union, five of whom are dead-three died in infancy.
Wilbur was drowned from the steamer Bunton; Abraham died
September 8, 1885.  Six children yet live.  Jane, wife of
Hiram Filson; Amanda, wife of A. V. Graham; Mary, widow
of S. V. Miller; James, married; Charles and Hannah, unmarried and still at home.  He had twenty-one grandchildren and
ten great-grandchildren. He came to this city from Brownsville in 1834.  He was one of the earliest and oldest Methodists of this community, having been connected with the church
for over 57 y ars.  He was always greatly interested in education. The following paragraph is quoted from the historical
address of Dr. J. S. VanVoorhis, delivered at the dedication
of our new school house, July 1, 1881:  "The rapid growth
of the borough soon necessitated the erection of a new school
building.  In the year 1852 the Board of Directors, conisisting
135Tlte Old and Xew Mbnonga,hela.
of our venerable friend Cyrus Underwood as President and the
late Alex. Wilson as Secretary, with Joseph Alexander, H. H.
Finley, Wilson Thompson and Alex. Scott as members, resolved
to build a new school house, which gave the town the brick
house across the street from this house.
The lot was purchased from Henry Fulton.  The house cost
$7,000.  Johnson Baird and William Wilson did the stone
and brick work, whilst the veteran contractor, William Coulter,
with us to-night, did the carpenter work.  It was opened for
school in the fall of 1853.  Andrew  Brown, now of the
"Forks," and T. R. Hazzard, just returned from West Newton, were the first teachers, the former having been the last to
teach in the old building.
Too much credit cannot be given president Underwood for
his untiring industry and foresight in moulding public opinion
and carrying the enterprise to successful issue.  He first
settled in this place in 1834, where he has resided ever since,
excepting three years he served as recorder of the county. He
and H. H. Finley are the only surviving members of that
board of directors.  We are glad to see them  both here tonight.  Kind friends, faithful Christians, humaln benefactors,
we bid you God speed! "
Mr. Underwood took an active part in the establishment of
our new cemetery and was very earnest in the advancement of
its interests, and especially delighted in its adornment, making
frequent visits to the city of the dead, never tired in admiring
its trees and avenues.  On Friday he will be laid to rest amid
the graves and paths which shall know his footsteps no more,
forever. HIe was a warm whig and a strong republican, and
his public services were recognized by an election to be recorder,
in which office he served during 1855-56-57, and left at the
county seat a good record of fidelity to public duty, and upright walks in the social life.  It does not evoke much pain to
write the words he i8 dead.  He waited the coining, his soul
yearned for the rest, he was a ripe sheaf heavy for the harvest.
Believing in Christ as his personal Saviour he has completed
136lTlke Old and New lMonon:gahela.
the work of life and gone to his eternal home.  Therefore it is
not sad to write the words "he is dead," for all these words
mean, when said of him, is that good, old " uncle Cyrus " has
gone to his eternal home, and linked with his memory is only
the fragrance of a pure life.
IRA. R. BUTLER.
Among the early and active class leaders in this church was
Ira R. Butler.  We insert an interview the author had with
him a few years before his death.
His grandfather was born in Bristol, England. His name
was Noble Butler, and came to this country in 1716, about
two years before the death of Wm. Penn. He landed at Philadelphia and entered under the rules and regulations of Wm.
Penn, one thousand acres of land at a very small price in Yeochland township, Chester county.  His wife's name was Rachel
Jones, of Welsh descent.  Noble was a single man when he
settled on this large farm, but not long after his. arrival he was
married.  They had twelve children, the youngest of whom
was Benjamin, the father of Ira.  Noble died on this farm in
1804.  Benjamin Butler had as sons and daughters, David,
Jonathan, Elizabeth, Abner, Eunice, Noble, Isaac, Benjamin;
Joel, Joseph and Ira R.  His large family growing rapidly toward maturity, Benjamin Butler, although surrounded by every
comfort that wealth and opportunity could afford, began about
the beginning of the present century to show a disposition to
try his fortunes in the wilds of the Ohio.  This increased after
the death of his father.  To carry out his desires in a satisfactory way, he sent two of his sons on horseback to spy out the
new country, with instructions to purchase one well improved
farm, and to secure enough in the neighborhood to furnish the
family a farm each. They in due time returned with glowing
accounts of the Ohio valley, and reported in favor of a section
near North Bend on the Ohio river, some distance below Cincinnati.  In a short time Father Butler sent the same sons
back to secure the property by absolute purchase.  On their
137iThe Old and LNew JlIfono)ca/hela.
return to the homestead in the spring of 1805, the old gentleman sold all he had except such thlings as were determined to be
taken along. After harvest they all bid adieu to the old homestead with its magnificent stone mansion, and with a six-horse
wagon, a five-horse wagon, a two-horse carriage and two extra
horses the family set out on their journey to Ohio. They traveled by the way of Lancaster, Harrisburg and Bedford, and
crossed the Monongahela river at Parkison's Ferry on Sabbath
evening the 6th of October, 1805; put up at the tavern of
George Trout, long known as the Caldwell stand, on Main
street.  Next morning the father arose from bed; went to feed
the horses so as to be ready for an early start; returned to the
house, laid down to await breakfast; when called he was speechless; died before midnight of palsy. Doctors at that tinle were
not convenient, none nearer than Greensburg or the Upper
Forks.  In the midst of this sudden affliction to the newcomers, it was suggested to send up the country a
a short distance for a man the name of Miller, who
made pretentions to be a general doctor in all things,
especially in cows and other animals. He arrived in due
time, and with no little degree of pomp and self assurance,
pronounced the old gentleman's disease to be yellow fever,
supplementing his decisions with the remark that he had powders
" for fifty cents each, which, if taken promptly, would prevent
the rest of the family, and citizens generally, from taking the
disease."   Many powders were no doubt disposed  of to
the credulous.  Most of the family were in a short time
taken unwell, and within two weeks Isaac died. In the meantime Dr. Marchanld, of Greensburg, was called. The history
of the case of the old gentleman was related, and he declared
it to be a stroke of the palsy; that the rest of the family, from
exposure on the journey, had malarial fever.  He denounced
the cow doctor in severest terms, and on examination found
his powders to be made of brick dust and some other as inert
substance.  He declared he would not hesitate to cowhide such
a man.
138The Old and Xew J/[ononaa,hela.
Isaac was buried with his father in the Wickerham graveyard, now in the third ward.  In the midst of this sorrow
Captain Daniel VanVoorhis called to see and comfort the
family.  He said, "Boys, if you are not going to use your
horses send them up to my farm and turn them into the fort
field where the grass is knee deep, and leave them there as
long as you deem proper." Ira and one of his brothers salted
them regularly, and there Ira saw a bear for the first time,
which was a pet of Abraham VanVoorhis, then about 20 years
old.  Some of the shoes that came off these horses were found
a few years since in plowing the field. They are in the possession of John VanVoorhis, the present owner of the field.
The death of the father of this family created no little stir in
the town; the citizens generally were frightened, and some
were so lost to shame as to insist on the Butlers leaving town
even in their distress.  The father's death necessitated the taking of an inventory of his goods.  As this was being done the
goods were to be removed to the Red house, now gone, at the
nmouth of First street, on the river, which had been rented from
Samuel Black.  Some of the citizens, more nervous than
humane, persuaded Mr. Black not to allow the family to occupy
the house, though part of the goods had been loaded on the
wagons and in the way to the house.  He yielded to their
demands, leaving them in such a strait as they knew not what
to do.  At this critical moment appeared among them the
good samaritan, Nathan W. Chalfant, saying, "Strangers, I
have a house rented down on Race street which I will not
need till spring.  Drive your wagons to it and unload your
goods, and let me see the man who will dare to disturb you."
Thus the Butlers became citizens of the town, and their prospects for North Bend blighted. This man Chalfant lived in.Brownsville, but was building keel boats in the town, being
its first boat builder.  His name and that of Capt. VanVoorhis were cherished in fond rernembrance by the Butler family,
and the Esquire at this day says, "I hardly know anybody else
than the VanVoorhis name."   Afterwards some time the
139uThe Old acLtd Yew iMovongcahela.
family moved into the frame house, then unfinished, opposite
the City Hotel, occupied by Keller  Co.  The members of
the family generally were short lived.  One of the boys was
thrown from a stage three miles this side of Washington, from
the effects of which he died September, 1822.  Rachel died
13th of October, 1822.  Joel married Betsy, daughter of
William Irwin, of whom we have written.  Eunice married the
late David Woodward, father of Noble and Joseph.  She
died a few years since, an account of whose death was written
by Lewis Bollnman and printed in the Republican.  At this
date Ira alone remains. He was born at the old homestead in
Chester county, November 15th, 1792. He was married by
George Bentley, Esq., to Mary Boyd, June 14tlh, 1822.  She
was born October 23d, 1801, at New London Cross Roads,
Chester county.  She died September 7th, 1874.  Ira and
his wife first set up housekeeping in what was long known as
the Peggy Speers house, in Catsburg.  In 1812 he kept store
with his brother Benjamin in the house now occupied by T.
H. Baird, Esq., on Main street, known as the Stewart property.
He sold eggs for three to four cents per dozen, butter six to
tenl cents per pound, home made sugar 61 cents per pound,
there was no other kind of sugar sold; used tallow candles for
light in candlesticks of tin with brass mountings and about ten
inches high. As people generally made their own wearing
material from flax and tow, there was not much finery sold in
the stores.
The mercantile business did not agree with his health.  He
sold out, went to Lake Erie, where he secured employment as
super-cargo on the sailing vessel "Union of the Grand River,"
Captain Martin, Master.  The boat was chartered by the
North American Fur Company, of which John J. Astor was
president, to bring furs and other goods from Fort Mackinaw,
after its surrender to the British forces by Captain Darragh,
brother of the late Daniel Darragh, of Mingo.  One of the
terms of the surrender permitted private citizens to take away
their property. He was on the same vessel three years, during
two of which he was captain of the craft, and hence he ac140TYhe Old and New WMonongahela.
quired the title of Captain Butler.  In the winter of 1815 he
returned to Williamsport and followed boat building.  He
moved from the Peggy Speers house to the Woodward place.
where John Lamb first had his tan yard.  He subsequently
bought the property opposite the paper mill, and in 1837 built
the brick house in which he lived until in 1841 he moved to
his present residence.  He sold his property opposite the paper
mill to Douglas McFarland, father of Campbell McFarland,
Esq., and Rev. John McFarland, who died some years ago in
Greenfield, Dade county, Missouri.  He bought his present
residence from a man the name of Stockdale, who, we think,
purchased it from the Baxters.
On the 12th'day of May, 1880, we called on Esq. Butler.
He was not at home, but was informed that he would be home
shortly, as he only walked down to the blackmith's at Victory
coal works, and as he was a good walker would- soon be back.
I thought to myself, a pretty good walk for a man 88 years old.
In a short time I heard him on the porch, met him with an
extended hand; looking me in the eyes, says: " I believe I
do not know you. " Giving him a gentle hint who I was, he
exclaimed, "Why, John, I hav'n't seen you for thirty years.
Set down, I am very glad to see you."
I soon discovered that he was a perfect encyclopaedia of the
past; his recollection clear; his conversational powers unimpaired; his body erect; in fact a man extraordinarily well
preserved. He has preserved all his papers bearing on his
history, business and travels.  Still has his copy books used
when at school in 1807; a memorandum of miscellany during his
life; a detailed description of a journey in a flatboat from
Williamsport to Orleans; his experience on Lake Erie, in fact
the sumn total of a long, active life on paper.  After giving me
a sketch of his family as above, only at length, I gathered
from him much in a desultory way,
Well, Esq., which house do you think was first built in town?
Ans. The log part of the old Parkison mansion. Who was the
first cabinet maker? Joseph McClure, who made my father's
1412The Old and New  lionon.qahela.
coffin, and under whom the late John Eckles learned his trade.
His shop was across the alley,from the City Hotel, in which
Joseph Hamilton afterwards had his cabinet shop.  By whom
and when was the City Hotel built? Washington Palmer, in
1811, just before he went out in Capt. James Warne's company
to the war of 1812, this company being a part of Pennsylvania's
first quota. Who built the old Glass Works, now gone?
Parkison, Warne  Co., in 1816.  The company consisted of
William Parkison, James Warne, Joel and Benjamin Butler.
Haywood did the job at a cost of $27,000 before it was ready
to start. At the first blast the cap fell in and in fact the whole
was a failure. It was sold at sheriff's sale to Samuel Black
and J. and R. McGrew, who rented it to Wm. Ihmsen.  How
about Catsburg? When Esq. James Mitchell laid out East
Williamsport in 1811, the widow Biddie Caldwell and her
daughter were the only inhabitants on the site, aild their cabin
was the only dwelling except the old log house in which Daniel
DePue had resided, on the point at the mouth of the creek.
Biddie's cabin was situated in the orchard on the slope of the
hill above the residence of the widow Collins. Biddie and
her daughter were constantly quarlrelling, squealing, pulling
hair and crying like cats.  So prominent a feature were these
qualities that the household was called the " cat and kittens, "
and the people on the other side of the creek very soon took
hold of the idea of calling the new town Catsburg, despite of
the Esq.'s name. Who gave the old graveyard lot? William
Parkison.  The new addition was purchased by a general subscription under the supervision of the late Joseph Wilson.
Who was Thomas Wells? The first saddle and harness mraker
in town.  Who built the first saw mill? William Johnson,
the father-in-law of William Layman.  It stood not far from
Neel, Blythe  Co.'s mills. In building boats before this
time the creek mills sawed the timber into plank, but the whipsaw made it into shape. "'Well, Esq., I must go."  "If you
must go," says he. "I want you to call again and I will give
you a detail of the building of the town, and how I used to
142The Old and New Monongah/ela.
work for my old friend, Abram Van Voorhis, and others for
621 cents per day."
Ira Butler died at his home in Carroll township, July 18,
1884.  The -Daily Reptublican in a notice of his death says,
"His funeral took place on Sunday, July 20, from his old
homestead, and was followed to Monongahela cemetery by the
largest concourse of people that has ever been seen at the obsequies of any citizen in this part of the country.  His death
occurred at ten o'clock on Friday night, and the funeral was
announced for two o'clock on Sabbath.  Long before the hour
appointed for the interment hundreds of people in scores of
vehicles had collected at the venerated old man's residence to
do honor to the memory of one who had lived among them a
monument of honesty, uprightness and purity.  The pall bearers were Wm. Galbraith, Win. Coulter, David Rabe and
Joseph Warne. The funeral was under the direction of Capt.
A. D. O'Donovan.  The casket furnished was of oak, draped
with black cloth. On the plate was the following inscription:
CAPT. IRA REESE BUTLER,
AGED 91 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AND 3 DAYS.
Dr. INesbitt, pastor of the Methodist Church of this city,
officiated on the occasion, and in his discourse alluded feelingly
and appropriately to the long life and Christian example of the
deceased. The emblem of the sheaf of wheat placed upon the
casket fitly illustrated that the harvest had been gathered and
his many years of usefulness was to be well rewarded by the
enjoyment of a bright and glorious beyond.  He had been a
consistent member of the Methodist Church of this city for over
seventy years, having connected himself with it in its infancy,
when about twenty-two years of age. Captain Butler'was truly
one of the pioneers of Washington county, and the many scraps
of local history connected with his life would be of great interest to the general reader. About 1815 he was captain of a
sailing vessel on the lakes, where he was accustomed to put in
his time in the business season, returning to Monongahela City
to spend the winter with his friends and family. In June,
143The Old 0 an1d ( Nt w iifo nOnq(-,aJei/?Ca.  9
was authlorized by an Act of Assembly of tlle State of Pennsylvania, Marcll 31, 1836.  The only improved condition of
navigation heretofore had been the construction  of chutes and
wing-walls at the different shloal points.  The improvement by
this company proposed was a series of locks and damns.  No. 1
anid 2 were put in use in October 1841. Nos. 3 and 4 were
completed for use to Brownsville, November 13, 1844. Other
locks and dams have been comlpleted at different times until,
with the aid of the government improvement, below Morgantown W. Va., navigation is easy and complete to that point.
The slackwater is now in perfect working order, (1893) so that
the steamboat company run its boats from Pittsburg to Morgantown at all seasonis of the year.
This 8th day of November 1889, the locks and dams are
complete to MIorgantown, W. Va., the steamboat James G.
Blaine passed up from Pittsburgh to that place being the first
to make the trip.
STEAMBOAT PACKETS.
1'rior to the completion of the slackwater to Brownsville
there were no regular packets on the river.  The Liberty, Exchange, Oella, Massachusetts, Export and that class of boats
did duty as carriers of freight and passengers whenever the
depth of water would allow.  The Pittsburgh and Brownsville
Packet Company was organized in 1844 by Adam  Jacobs,
G. W. Cass, J. K. lIoorhead, J. L. Dawson, I. C. Woodward
and others.
The Consul was the first boat built for the comrpanly; she
was commanded by Captain Samuel Clark. Shortly afterward
the Louis McLane was put on the line, under the command
of Captain Adam Jacobs.  These boats in 1850 were superseded  by the Baltic, CaptaiTn Jacobs, and the Atlantic,
Captain James Parkinsoin.  In the year 1851 the Redstone was placed on the line, with I. C. Woodward as
captain. After a short term of service she was sold and a few
months afterwards she exploded her boilers near Cincinnati,
killing the engineer and several others.1the Old and New i/ononyahela.
1880, we published from the pen of our valued correspondent,
Dr. Van Voorhis, reminiscences of Mr. Butler and family
from which we to-day reprint a few extracts."  These extracts
were inserted in a former part of this article.  Ira R. Butler
was the last of seven sons, all of whom are now dead. The
Captain left behind him eight children-Benjamin F., now deceased (1889), Ira William  and Mrs. Dr. Keys, Mrs. James
Blythe, Mrs. Pratt, Mrs. Keechline and Miss Sarah, all residing in or about Monongahela City.
ELIAs WATSON.
Among the early and devoted members of this church was
Elias Watkins. His father, Joseph Watkins, came from Baskin
Ridge, N. J, in 1801, and settled near Williamsport, on what
farm we are not informed. He died within two years after his
arrival. He seems to have beon married twice. By his second
marriage he had three sons, Jeremiah, John and Elias, and one
daughter, A:nn, who married the late Abram  Van Voorhis.  Jeremiah   married   Nancy  Pugh,  born  in  New
Jersey.  Her father and  mother, it may be said, were
both Revolutionary soldiers, he being in the American
army during the entire war, and she living amidst many of its
most stirring scenes; was frequently involved in the perils and
hardships incident to a country occupied by contending armies.
Jeremiah was a farmer of Fallowfield, living fourteen years on
a tract of land belonging to the Grable estate on Pigeon creek,
and from which, in 1839, he moved to Southeastern Indiana,
where he owned a large body of land on which he died in 1845.
His wife died about the year 1870, surviving her husband 25
years. They left three sons; two of whom are successful
farmers in Kansas.  The oldest son was named Joseph Finley,
after Mr. Finley, who died years ago in Rostraver township,
Westmoreland county. Joseph F. was 19 years old when his
father took him with him to Indiana.  He remained on his
father's farm assisting in making improvements and caring for
the family for tenl years, during which time he represented his
144The Old and New viionon,gahela.
county for two terms in the Legislature.  His differing with a
majority of his constituents by advocating the passage of a
stringent temperance law, caused his defeat afterwards for an
important county office.  He then abandoned politics, shook
the dust of that county from his feet, moved to the western part
of the State, where he successfully engaged in the mercantile
business up to 1872, when he sold out with a view of partially
retiring from business.  His active disposition and business
turn of mind would not allow him a life of retirement.  He
bought a half interest in the extensive Brown mills, in the city
of Crawfordsville, in connection with which is a large grain
elevator. The firm of Brown  Watkins is now largely engaged
in shipping and manufacturing flour.
John Watkins was well known in this -community for many
years.  He was a carpenter by trade and did much of the fine
work in the older houses in this vicinity.  His first wife was a
daughter of Alexander McCaslin, who resided years ago near
Ginger Hill.  He moved from the farm to Williamsport about
the year 1828, purchased the lot on which Dr. Linn erected
his new house.  On this lot in 1829 he built a dwelling house
and store room, now being torn down. William Mills in 1839
had a store in this room, and also the firm of Mills  Storer
occupied it for a time.  He left town, in what year we can not
tell, to reside on a farm on Mingo, not far from Kammerer's
Alills, where he died about 20 years ago.  We have no inlformation as to his -children.
Elias, the remaining brother, was a man of marked religious
character, of deep and fervent piety.  In connection with
James Mills he built the old steam mill on the other side of
the river from the mouth of First street.  This mill was burned
many years ago whilst owned and run by a man the name of
Joseph Coulson.  The cause of the fire remains a mystery to
this day. Elias lived a long time at the mills, long since gone,
belonging to Abram  VanVoorhis, which stood on Pigeon
creek.  He died about the year 1834, leaving a widow and a
large family of children.  His wife was a half-sister of Robert
145T1le Old and New Monongaheela.
Phillips, the late Nancy Wickerham and Mrs. Jane VanVoorhis, and a full sister, we think, of Margaret Paden-Mrs.
Hull, deceased. His son John was a glassblower by trade.
He quit his trade on account of health; lived in and owned the
house just above the Episcopal church on Main street.  He
married Miss Eliza Jane, daughter of the late James Warne.
He with his family moved in 1857 to the vicinity of Parkersburg, W. Va., to engage in farming.  Of his present whereabouts we are not able to say, further. than that he some
years ago moved to the west, and was accidentally killed.
William, another son of Elias, was also a glassblower.
He moved many years ago from  this county to Indiana.
Thornton F. died on the plains on his journey to California.
One of the daughters married William Hugus, a glassblower,
resided a short time in Belle Vernon, and at last accounts near
Alliance, Ohio, where he was a successful farmer.  As to the
remaining members of the family we have not any tidings.
RICHARD STOCKDALE.
This old and well known gentleman died at his residence in
Monongahela City January 20th, 1889, in his 74th year,
of dropsy, superinduced by rheumatism.
RICHARD STOCKDALE, son of William  Stockdale, was born
October 15th, 1815, on the Curry farm, Forward township.
Allegheny county. HTis father moved to the farm on the pike,
where James Stockdale lived, while Richard was yet a lad.
The family consisted of five brothers: John; James, who lived
on the home place; William and Robert, who were in the
furniture and lumber business for many years, both now dead.
There were five sisters: Sarah, widow of the late Captain Samuel
Morgan, of Gastonville; Rachel, wife of James Porter, of
Bloomington, Ill.; Margaret, wife of James Kerr, of this city;
Eliza, widow of Robert Patton; and Forbes, wife of William
Coulter, both of this city.
146Tte Old anid lNew Miionongyqahela.
Richard Stockdale learned the trade of tanner with Alexander
Williams, and after his majority worked at his trade in Circleville and Zanesville, Ohio. Returning in 1843 he leased the
ground and opened a tan yard on the site now occupied by the
residence and grounds of James P. Shepler on Pike avenue.
In 1850 he bought from James Gordon, Esq., the tannery on
Main street, where he had worked as an apprentice, he also
purchased the dwellings thereon, which now form part of his
estate and where for many years he lived. Henry Fulton's
lease had just expired and Mr. Stockdale succeeded him in the
business.  He operated this tannery until 1877, when the
growth of city environments made it undesirable for that purpose.  He relinquished the tanning business in 1878, having
successfully followed the business for 35 years.  He then engaged in the coal trade, operating the works known as " Stockdale's," in Carroll township.  He retired from active business
in 1881, since which time he had suffered from  rheumatic
trouble more or less.
Mr. Stockdale was married in 1845 to Miss Levina Hoffman,
of Somerset township, six sons blessed the union, one of
whom, Charles, died in inlfancy, the others are providentiallyable to be present at the funeral, except Richard, who is in
Montana.  Mrs. Stockdale died November 3d, 1880.
Mr. and Mrs. Stockdale were both active, earnest and hardworking members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was
a trustee and a class leader, was one of the building committee
and a liberal contributor to the present edifice on Main street.
Mrs. Stockdale was a leader in woman's work for the church,
her monument is established in the hearts of many hundreds.
Together they walked hand in hand; a few years of separation;
now again united beyond the river.  Peace to their memrory.
MARK BORLAND.
[Fromi Monongahela l?epublican of July 14, 1893.]
Mark Borland, Esq., died suddenly at his home on Main
street in this city on Thursday night about 11 o'clock, July 13,
1471The Old and New iJonongahela.
1893. He had been unusually well, for him, all day, and had
his trunk packed to go to-day with the grandchildren for a visit.
He was suddenly stricken down, and attending physicians, hastily
summoned, found that an internal heinorrhage had reached and
filled his lungs.
Mark Borland was born Dec. 16, 1827, in Pittsburgh, son
of Moses and Sallie Taggart Borland. He went to school to Master Meads in the Second ward school house on the bank where
the Monongahela House now stands.  At the age of 14 he
went with Phillip Ross to learn the dry good trade, and for
some years clerked in Pittsburgh stores, gaining the business experience so useful to him in later life.  He clerked for Zebulon
Kinstry, who did a general store and jewelry business; next
with Stacy Lloyd, then with George F. Deihl. He went into
the dry goods store of Perry Baker, of McKeesport, and finally
at Port Perry hung out his own shingle upon which for the first
time appeared the name of " Mark Borland, General Merchandise. " He hadn't a dollar when he started but soon paid for
his goods and had 88,000 in bank as his first earnings.  He
thought he saw in Limetown the cominig centre for trade in
the middle pool, and moved there. He also went into the
coal trade with his brother-in-law, John Peterson, now dead,
and J. B. Corey, now a coal king.
The tight times of just before the war came on, he sold out
at Limetown and came to Monongahela, in 1857, forming partnership with John Young, and occupying a room on the present
location.
The business has grown with the passinlg years, guided by
his excellent judgment.  In 1833 he joined Swickard and
McCurdy in the erection of the city block, and the store now
occupies five large rooms, the most extensive dry goods and
shoe house in the valley. His sons were taken into the firm as
they reached majority.
Mr. Borland was married to Miss Elizabeth Peterson, at Port
Perry, in 1852, by Rev. Sparks. This dear wife survives him,
together with his children, John, Howard, Ida, Sallie, Charles,
148The Old al,d New  lfon~onqahel/1a.
Bess, James and Hunter.  No family was ever bound together
by stronger ties, no parents ever strove more earnestly to make
home the dearest spot on earth.
He was one of our most widely known citizens. He has
served in City Councils, and was seven years town Treasurer.
He was not active in politics, but held faith in the Republican
party and the American tariff.  In his moral relationship he
was a Methodist, having joined that church during a revival,
and became much attached to its services.  He was an earnest
member of the Masonic fraternity, and belonged to the Royal
Arcanumn, United Workmen, Odd Fellows, Good Templars.
In his business life Mr. Borland was conservative, by.nature
companionable and social, enjoying a quiet joke and fond of
company. Yet by the evening lamp, after business, surrounded
by his fanlily, or on the play ground enjoying a romp with his
grandchildren, our friend found his chiefest joy.  And when
his coffin is carried forth, those who will be his chiefest mourners will be the ones who knew him best in his beloved home.
HoN. ALEXANDER HERVEY HOUSTON.
Who was Mayor of this city in 1890 and 1892, died at his
residence on Sixth street, at four o'clock on Sunday, July
16th, 1893, of typhoid fever, in the 34th year of his age.
The family always abbreviated  his name Alexander to
"Sandy" and as such he preferred to be called, so that he
signed his name and is knowvn as S. H. Houston.  He was
born in Washington, Pa., May 3rd, 1860, son of James Houston.  His mother is dead, his father is in the city, and was at
his bedside when he died.  Sandy graduated at the IUnion
School, Washington, studied Latin with a tutor, entered W. 
J. College in 1878, and graduated in 1882. He also graduated
at Philadelphia Dental College and took a post graduate course
at Ann Arbor; held both diplomas, and was recognized as a
skilled professional.  He came to Monongahela City in October, 1886; married Miss Margaret Power, September 29,
1887, who remains his widow  with three cllildren, James,
Rebecca and Florence.                             12
1491The Old a,),id New lionownahela.
Dr. Houston was a member of the Junior Order American
Mechanics and the Royal Arcanum, both of which orders will
attend his funeral.
The Doctor was a young man full of vigor; he had a fine
professional reputation and was a valuable member of our
community.  Under his administration good order prevailed,
and he did not hesitate to promote peace by his presence with
the police when required.  His form was commanding and his
resolution so well knowin that evil doers respected the law in
his person as Mayor.  He favored improvements, and was
public spirited.  He was a young man who promised to develop strong points as a good citizen; his influence was on the
right side, and his actions were prompt to good purposes.
Interment in Monongahela cemetery July 18, 1893.
AUNT MARGARET PHILLIPS.
By this endearing title Mrs. Phillips was kilown to nearly
all our people.  She was daughter of Benjamin Parkison, born
at the old homestead, which stood near the present site of
Mongah Mines, July 16th, 1807. She died in Monongahela
City, in the brick corner house on Main street, where she has
lived since 1848, on Saturday evening, July 15th, 1893.
She was married to John M. Phillips, March 11, 1830, and
has had four children: Benjamin, William, James and Elizabeth, all dead.
Her husband died April 17th, 1838.  She was a niember of
the Methodist church, and had been for so many years that
the records do not seem to reach back to the date of her
joining.
The funeral takes place at three o'clock to-day (Monday),
interment at Monongahela cemetery.  Mrs. Phillips was a
quiet home-body, she lived peacefully the life of a devoted
christian, and has simply gone home---it hardly seems as if
she has died.
150The Old and New MJlononqahela.
THE BLACK-BENTLEY--KING FAMILIES.
Samuel Black was one of the earlier business men of the
valley. He was born in Down county, Ireland, in 1776; emigrated from his native country to the United States in 1794.
He was married in Fort Pitt in 1795 to Mary Bealer.  In the
same vear he located at Parkison's Ferry, now Monongahela
City, Penn'a. He purchased from Joseph Parkison and lived
in the well known1 Red house at the mouth of Ford, now Second
street, where he carried on the mercantile business for many
years.  Owing to the falling in of the river bank froml the
washing away of 150 feet of the lot, there is at this time not a
trace of the house remaining.  Samuel Black died in 1846 at
the homestead on the pike, where, also, his wife died in 1847.
For many decades Samuel Black was considered the most
wealthy mail in Washington county.  He owned the old Parkison farm on which Bellevidere now stands. He owned the
farm now owned by Resin Frye, and also the farm on which
Bellewood is now located.  He owned a large tract of land on
the river opposite Bellewood and adjoining the old Parkison
mill property, now known as Elkhorn. He had quite a number
of houses and lots in Mlonongahela City, besides valuable blocks
in the city of Pittsburgh.
He was a mnan of large physical frame, always wore his hair
in a cue, and in general appearance was austere, with the
usual dignity of the primitive landholder.  We presume that
few of his cotemporaries are now living.  Mr. and Mrs. Black
had a large family of child ren, of whom were born in the red
house, Elizabeth, Harry and Maria.  In 1801 they moved to
the homestead on the pike, where were born Samuel, Caroline,
Cyrus, Marcus, Jane, Ross, Wilson, Mary and Ilester, all of
whom lived to womanhood and manhood.  Elizabeth married
William Bentley in 1825, who lived in the house near the
present wharf, which for years had been used as the Methodist
Episcopal Church.  In this house his son Samuel B. Bentley
was born in 1826, being the same year in which his father died.
151ITAe Old and New Monongcaheda.
Mrs. Elizabeth Bentley died October 10, 1878. S. B. Bentley now lives in the house built by Samuel Black in 1815, but
it has been subject to many changes and remodelings since that
time. Samuel B. Bentley's first wife was Sarah, daughter of
iEneas Graham, and his second wife was Minerva, daughter
of Henry and Elizabeth Swartz Rabe, thus uniting two of the
oldest families about Monongahela City.  They have four
children living at this date, Millie G., Charles R., Harry K.,
and Mary M.  Samuel B. Bentley joined the Methodist E.
Church of his native city in 1847, under the pastorate of Rev.
Nathaniel Calendar.  His grandmother Black was one of the
pioneer women of Methodism in Western Pennsylvania, and
his mother was a member of the same church in its primitive
days.  He was the choirister of the church over forty years.
His first school teacher was Miss Jane Hepburn, whose father
was Principal and sister Eliza was assistant. They taught in a
house now owned by Silas Haley, four doors above the People's Bank, on Main street. This school was in 1830 and 1831.
Samuel Black's son, Harry, married Miss Cotts, of Cincinnati, Ohio, both of whom are dead.  They left two children
who are still living:  Samuel, a lawyer of Cincinnati, and
Sarah, who married a Mr. Cox of the same city.
Maria Black, who died December 29th, 1889, in her 90th
year, married Dr. S. M. King, a noted and highly esteemed
physician of Monongahela City.  He settled in that city about
the year 1815, and died at his home on Chess street, September 7th, 1877.  The Monongahela Re_puWbliean in giving an
account of his deathl, says, "Dr. King was born at Uniontown,
Pa., October 8th, 1794.  He received a thorough education
at Canonsburg, Pa. He studied medicine at Greensburg, Pa.,
with Drs. Marchand and Postlewaite, and graduated at the
University of Pennsylvania.  He settled in Williamsport, now
Monongahela City, in 1815 and commenced the practice of his
profession.  In 1817 he married Maria Black, daughter of the
late Samuel Black.   With the exception of a. few monthls'
residence in Madison, Indiana, about the year 1840, he has
152The Old and New.oonongahela.
been continuously identified with the business and society of
his adopted city for 62 years.  Dr. King retired from the active practice of medicine only about 10 years ago, transferring
his business to his son, the late Dr. William H. King."
Dr. S. M. King died a Christian as he had lived one, and
those who visited him in his invalid chamber, expecting to find
it shrouded under the shadow of gloom, found, instead, a house
of rejoicing, a cheerful making ready for the Bridegroom, a
chamber lit up with flashes of light from the Gates Ajar. A
few days before his death, calling for his favorite walking
stick, the dying man caught the staff firmly by its handle and
exclaimed.  " Farewell vain world.  I ain on my journey
home. "  With rejoicing and not with trembling he went down
into the valley, leaving behind as a legacy for us all, the record
Christian life, and the triumph of a Believer's death. They had
quite a large family of children. John L., who died September 12, 1881; Samuel K. married Harriet Woodburn, of Madison, Indiana, and died in 185-, leaving two children, Culver
and Clarence. Wm. H. King studied medicine with his father,
graduated at the Jefferson Medical College in 1853, resided all
his life in Monongahela City, where he was regarded as one of
the most prominent physicians and surgeons in Western Pennsylvania. He married Sarah, daughter of Rev. S. M. Sparks,
one of the pioneers of the Cumberland Church in Western Pa.
Dr. William H. King was noted not only as a thorough and
learned physician and surgeon, but for his kind disposition anld
great benevolence. No poor man or woman was ever turned
from his house, either in a professional or charitable way.  He
died in 1871, being just 50 years old the day he died.  He had
three children, all living at this date, Ida, Maria and Alvin.
Richard' C., another son of Dr. S. M. King, never married
and still remains as a household god in the old home.  Dr.
Cyrus B. was the youngest son of the older Dr. King. He
graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1862, and is now
numbered among the most distinguished medical men in Allegheny City, where he has always pursued his profession, and is
1531071wi ONl and New l/ilononqaiwla.
In 1852 the Jefferson and Luzerne were put in the trade to
take the place of the Baltic and Atlantic.  Captain Morgan
Mason was put in command of the Jefferson and Elisha Bennet the Luzerne.  In 1856 the Telegraph, Captain I. C.
Woodward, was built.  The slackwater now  being finished
above Brownsville, the Jefferson, Captain G. W. Clark, was
put above to connect with the Telegraph and Luzernle.
In 1859 the Gallatin, Captain Clark, aild Duinbar, Captain
Bennett, were built. The iDunbar was in service only a very short
time when she was sold to parties in the lower Ohio.  The
Franklin, with Beinnett as captain came out in 1860.  In 1864the Fayette was placed on the line, Captain S. C. Speers on
the roof.  In 1866 the E. Bennett was put on the line, with
Captain MI. A. Cox in command.  At that time the company
were running four boats.  In 1868 the Peoples' Linle, which
had been operating for a few months with their boats Elector
and Chieftain, was consolidated with the old line, after which
the style and corporate title of the company was the Pittsburgh,
Brownsville and Geneva Packet Company, and by this arrangement the Elector and Chieftain were added to the line.  The
Geneva was built in 1871 and was in the trade 14 years.
The stern-wheel boat John Snowden caine into service in
1876, Captain Peter Donaldson in charge.  In a short time
she was sold to Captain L. N. Clark, of Pittsburgh, who turned
her into an excursion boat.  The Bennett and Chieftain were
lost in the disastrous ice breakup in 1877.  In 1878 the Germania camne out, in charge of Captain R. R. Abrams.  The
James G. Blaine was built in 1882, M. A. Cox inaster, and
has been in continital service ever since.  The Adam Jacobs
made her maiden trip Septemrber 15, 1885, Captain M. A. Cox
in command.  This boat was the first to carry the electric
light, and nlow, 1893, with the Blaine and Germania, constitutes the fleet in the line. Before the completion of the Pennsylvania railroad to Pittsburgh the Monongahela was on the
great route between the west and the east.  The packet company was a very important link in the route, and the numnber
10The Old and -Vew Jlionongahela.
a Professor in the Western Pennsylvania Medical College. He
married Euphemia, daughter of the Rev. John Kerr, who for
many years was pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Monongahela City.  Mrs. Euphemia King was a lady of more than
ordinary Christian character.  She was noted for her work of
love and charity in the Third Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh.
Hers was a model Christian life, in all its phases, as wife,
mother, church member and friend to the poor. Pollock's
description of the dying mother is peculiarly applicable to her.' Her eyes, they set as sets the Morniing Star,
That gees not down behind the darkeined west,
Nor hides amid the tempest of the sky,
But melts away into the light of Heaven."
She died July 26, 1881, in Allegheny City, Pa., honored
and beloved by all who knew her, leaving three children,
Annie, now Mrs. Bakewell, Nina and Victor, to mourn their
loss.
Samuel Black, son of Samuel Black the older, died in the
old stone house at the mouth of Dry Run, about the year 1833.
He left two children, Samuel R. and Caroline.
Caroline, daughter of the older Black, married Robert Smith,
a successful farmer, near Elizabeth, Allegheny county, Pa.
She died July 24, 1885.
Cyrus Black, son of Samuel Black, once a noted revivalist
of the M. E. Churchl, married Bellevidere McGahan, both are
deceased, leaving two daughters, Mary and Cornelia, residents
of New York.
Marcus, another son, married Matilda Morton.  Both are
dead, leaving two children: Morton, of the bankiirg house of
Alexander  Co., and Mary, wife of William M. Boggs.
Jane Black married W. S. Millinger, a well known military
man, and postmaster of Monongahela City during the Tyler
administration.  He kept the postoffice in the house now
occupied by S. B. Bentley.  They had three sons, George V.
L., Marcus and Robert F., and one daughter, Alice, the wife
of Norman Wylie of Allegheny City.
154like Old and New WMononqahela.
Ross Black was educated at Jefferson College, and studied
law with Hon. E. M. Stanton, under the tuition of Judge Stokeley
of Steubenville, Ohio.  He was admitted to the Washington,
Pa., bar in 1841, and died in Monongahela City in 1857.
Wilson S., the remaining son, died on his way home from
the Mexican war.
The remaining daughters were Mary, married to George S.
Clark, who died in Chattanooga, Tenn., where his widow and
children still live. Hester married Colvin Bissell and died
long ago.  They had two daughters, Mary and Ida, both of
whom are living.
MRS. MARIA KING.
Died December 29, 1889.
The Mlonongahela Repub/i/can of December 30, 1889, thus
speaks of the death of Mrs. King:
The death of this lady removes from Monongahela its oldest
resident, one who began life with the century, born in May,
1800, and  vho has lived as its years rolled by, till now she
sees the light of its last decade, but before the dawn of the
New Year she passed into eternity where years are not counted.
The baby Maria, child of Samuel and Mary Black, was born
in what afterward was known as the " old red house," which
stood near the river bank, back from Mr. Beaver's, on First
street.  The family soon afterwards moved to their mansion
house on the hill, where the girl spent her childhood, and
where she was married to Dr. Samuel M. King, who has preceded her to the silent land.  Of thirteen children Richard and
Dr. Cyrus remain of the sons; Mrs. Baird and Mrs. Mosely of
the daughters. Mrs. King, like most old people, lived much
in the past, and was familiar with the early history of the city
which she had seen grow up about her. She was a pupil in
the first Sunday school taught by Judge Gordon in 1811. She
stood at her father's door step and saw the "Williamsport
Rangers" march away under Captain Jamnes Warne to the war
of 1812; she watched the builders put up the first glass factory
near the place where Elijah Harrison's sons now liv.e, by
1551T5he Old and New iononqahela.
Parkison and Warne; and subsequently saw the smoke curl
from a factory owned and controlled by her father. She heard
the new county question discussed for nearly a hundred years.
She saw her father active in the erection of the "first house of
worship" initiative steps for which were taken July 7, 1814,
when Joseph Parkison for the sum of $45 conveyed to Samuel
Black, James Gordon, James Hair, David Hamilton, William
Irwin and others, trustees for building a Presbyterian meeting
house on c"lot No. 72, on the hill."  She saw the first river
bridge built, her father having " released the bridge company
from all danger to any lands of his taken in the erection of
a bridge."  And so on.
Within her lifetime is a history of this town; when she was
born Jefferson was the third President, and Aaron Burr Vice
President of the United States; when she was seven years old
Robert Fulton made his first steamboat trip. Slaves were then
brought to this country from Africa and sold, and Ohio was
not yet in the Union.
What a long life to live, and how many memories must have
clustered about her as she sank peacefully to rest on the dawn
of a Sabbath day.
WILLIAM JONES' FAMILY.
William Jones was born at Ellicott's Mills, Maryland, in
May, 1763, and died in the latter part of March, 1862.  Ite
located in the neighborhood of Ginger Hill, in Washington
county, a few years before the Whiskey Insurrection, on the
farm still owned by his son William. He was a blacksmith by
trade. When the U. S. troops were sent out to disperse the
insurgents they halted near his farm, from whence they were
ordered to return, as the insurrection was over.  While in
camp he shod some of the Government horses. He was loyal
to the Government and took no part in the insurrection. By
his first wife he had eleven children, five sons and six daughters,
viz., John, Elijah, Jesse, Samuel and William, Rebecca, Delilah, Polly, Ruth, Rose and Ann.  At an advanced age he
156The Old and New Xonongqahela.
married Mrs. Jane Philips as his second wife, by whom he had
no children.  John was the founder of Jonestown, in Fallowfield, where he lived most of his life, during which he was
generally engaged in farming, merchandising and in keeping
entertainment.  His peculiar sign, "Entertainment," will be
remembered by many of the older citizens.  Here he died in
1874, at an advanced age. Elijah lived and died in the brick
house on the hill above Jonestown.  Among his children were
Isaac W., who built the McGregor row on Main street in Monongahela City, and who is now a successful wool dealer in
Washington, Pa. His son James married Caroline, daughter
of the late Abram Van Voorhis.  James died some years ago
and his widow, with his children, are living near Ginger Hill.
Jesse, another son of Wm. Jones, lived and died on a part of
the old Homestead.  William still owns the greater part of the
original homestead, but lives in Monongahela City.
Samuel Jones, the remaining son of William Jones the older,
was born on the homestead in 1800.  He went to the "Forks
of Yough " in 1824 and settled on the farm purchased by his
father for him from Peter Shepler.  Samuel resided on this
farm until his death in June, 1867. He was killed by a log
rolling over him. In 1826 he married Jane Fell, daughter of
Benjamin Fell, in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county.
The wedding took place at the Fell mansion, which consisted
of a log cabin of primitive style.   Mr. Fell was very positive
that at this cabin was organized the first M#ethodist class west
of the mountains. Through his influence was erected the old
log church which formerly stood where the present stone
church, known as Fell's church, is situated, about two miles
from Webster.   Samuel Jones had by his first wife four children. Mary married Dr. J. P. Watson, and are both dead,
leaving no children. William, on the 8th day of February,
1850, married Sarah, daughter of the well known Captain
Joseph Shepler.   They have three children.  Their son,
Joseph S., is a member of the banking firm of S. F. Jones 
Co., of Bellevernon, Pa., and mlarried Miss Lizzie Mustard and
1578The Old and YNew Jonongalhela.
resides in Bellevernon.  Samuel married Miss Ann Murphy
and resides in North Bellevernon.  He is a member of the
Bellevernon Saw and Planing Mill Co. The only daughter
of William and Sarah Jones is Ella, who married Mr. Sears of
Florida and resides in North Bellevernon.  His father gave
William the old Fell farm which was purchased at Orphans'
court sale.  On this farm he lived until he moved to North
Bellevernon, where he is at this time a member of the banking
house of S. F. Jones  Co. His son, S. F. Jones, married
Sallie Thomas in 1861.  They have no children.  His father
gave him the farm near Bellevernon known in olden times as
the farm on which Rev. David Smith resided while he was
pastor of Rehoboth church, and where he died in 1803.  He
was the father of Rev. Joseph Smith, author of the book "Old
Redstone." The old house has given place to a fine brick,
erected by S. F. Jones.
He sold this farm to Michael F. Cook, grandson of Col. Edward Cook, and removed to Bellevernon in 1872, where he became a member of the bankiing house of S. F. Jones  Co.,
formed in 1872. At this date, 1893, he has an interest in the
Bellevernon Heat and Light Company, of which he is Superintendent.
James S., the remaining son of Samuel Jones by his first
wife, married Miss Ann Finley, daughter of the late Winm.
Finley, and grand daughter of Rev. James Finley, who was the
first pastor of Rehoboth Church. They have no children.
James served through the late war and died in Washington, D.
C., in about 1891.
Samuel Jones' second wife was Miss Mary, daughter of the
late Benjamin Thomas, of Rostraver, in the vicinity of the town
of Webster, Pa. By her he had eight children. Elizabeth
married John M. Bake as her first husband, now deceased.
Her second husband is Thomas Hagerty, who now lives on
Cook's run, near Fayette City, Pa.  Malissa married Lowry
Venable, and resides in the west. Rettie married Jonathan
Rhodes.  She died years ago, in Ohio.  Amanda married
1_58]The Old and New JMononga/hela.
Thomas C. Douglass, and resides in Pittsburgh.  Homer married Jennie McAlpin, of Gibsonton Mills. They reside in Bellevernon, Pa.  Luther married Sallie Venable, and resides near
Bellevernon. John married a daughter of D. P. Housman,
and still resides on part of the homestead.  Celia, the remaining daughter, is unmarried and lives with her aged mother in
the homestead in Rostraver.
Samuel Jones, at his death, was the largest landholder in
Rostraver township, and the distribution of his estate gave each
of his children a fair patrimony.  He was a man of warm feeling and ardent sympathies. Energetic in business, he was no
less so in his church. He was long a member of the Methodist
E. Church, held his membership at Fells, in the graveyard of
which his remains are interred. He gave largely of his means
and labor in erecting the church building in Webster.
Rosa, daughter of William Jones the older, married Hull
Williams, who lived for many years in the neighborhood of
the Dutch meeting house near Ginger hill, in Washington
county, Pa.  They are both dead.  Rebecca married Andrew
Mills.  Both  are dead many years. Ann married  John
fHess, who lived near what is called Edward's chapel, on the.pike, above Ginger hill.  They are both dead-John died
some years ago, and his wife June 30th, 1889. Ruth never
married, and died at an advanced age in Monongahela City.
Delilah married James Mills.- Both are dead.  James Mills
was a well known local preacher in the AM. E. church, and a
business man generally. He lived in the town of Williamsport early as 1828, in Washington, Pa., on a farm near lock
No. 4, lately owned by Mrs. John Ryan, and on which he laid
a prospective town called Lockport, which proved a failure.
For years prior to his death he carried on business in Pittsburgh, where he died.   He was a man of more than ordinary
ability.  His sermons were Scriptural and delivered in a plain
though fervent manner. His wife died not many years since
in Pittsburgh.  They had quite a number of children.  A. B.
Mills, the oldest son, graduated at Washington college in 1846.
1591The Old and New Jfonongaohela.
After many years in business he died in Philadelphia in 1888.
James R., another son, is now one of the shining lights in the
Methodist Episcopal Church.  Some years ago he was the
recipient of the degree of ID. D., which he deservedly bears
with his accustomed modesty.  Mary, daughter of James
Mills, married a Mr. Dolby, and resides on Craig street, Pittsburgh.   Mary, the remaining daughter of William Jones,
married Joseph Alexander, of whom we will write in another
place.
THE ALEXANDER FAMILY.
Joseph Alexander was born on Ten Mile Creek, in Washington county, Pa., on the first day of April, 1795, and died in
Monongahela City June 20, 1871. When Joseph was quite
young his father immigrated to Barnesville, Ohio, where he
grew up to manhood. His father, Joseph Alexander, was born
July 9, 1765, and died June 9, 1847, at his residence in Ohio.
He was the son of Isaac Alexander, who was born December
16, 1716; he was the son of Elias Alexander, who was born in
1680, and died in 1780. Joseph, the subject of this sketch,
was one of a large family.  His brother James resided in
Monongahela City some fifty years ago, and will be recollected
by many of the older citizens as having kept a store in the
McGrew room just above the present Odd Fellows building.
He died in 1860, at Fort Gibson, Louisiana. A sister Han-,nah married Benjamin Thomas, of Rostraver township, Westmoreland county; both are deceased.  The children of Benjamin and Hannah Thomas were Elijah, Rosa Ann, Mary,
Joseph B., Thomas Hudson, Harriet, Westley Ford, Van R.,
and James. Rosa Ann married James Davidson and died in
Bellevernon August 20, 1887.
MRS. ROSANNA DAVIDSON.
The Bellevernon Enterp-rise of August 27, 1887, contains the
following articles on her death:
Died, on Saturday evening, August 20, 1887, at her late resi160The Old and New XVononogahela.
dence in Bellevernon, Mrs. Rosanna, wife of Rev. James Davidson. The deceased was the daughter of the late Benjamin
Thomas, of Rostraver township.  Her mother was an Alexander, sister of the late Joseph Alexander, of Monongahela City,
who was the father of W. J. and Jas. S. Alexander, of the
same city. The deceased was born September 17, 1816, on
the old Thomas homestead, in the above named township, now
owned by John Rankin.  She was married to James Davidson
Oct. 27, 1836, at the old homestead, by the Rev. Geo. McCasky.
She joined the Methodist E. Church at Fells, in 1828, being
in her twelfth year, under the ministry of the Rev. John Watterman. She, with her husband, united with the church of
Bellevernon in 1850, whilst in charge of Rev. J. F. Nessly.
She leaves a husband, two sons and nine daughters; one daughter, Mary, passed into the beyond on the 24th day of the same
month just 46 years ago. Her nine loving daughters were all
with her in her last days. The sons, on account of the sickness
of the one and the great distance from his home of the other,
were not able to be present during her last illness, but Robert,
her youngest son, was present at the funeral.  The deceased
was truly one of G-od's own children; the community will bear
witness to this fact.  Her walk and conversation gave rich
fruits of a life of over sixty years devoted to Christ.  Only on
account of sickness was her seat vacant in the house of God.
She will be missed by her husband, with whom  she had for
over fifty years shared the troubles and pleasures of life; she
will be missed in the home circle, where so long by example
and precept she exemplified the truth of the Christian religion;
she will be missed in the church of which she had been a devoted member for nearly sixty years; she will be missed by
the community to which she was ever ready to grant acts of
charity and kind sympathy; but she has not missed the crown
which was laid up for her in glory.
Servant of God, well done!
Thy glorious warfare's past.
The battle's fought, the race is won,
And thou art crowned at last.
161162The Old and NAew,MnonYkqahela.
MOTHER DEAD.
Is she really dead P Has her spirit winged its flight to the
glorious land? And what is death! Are some of the many
thoughts that passed in quick succession through our mind as
we stood at the death bed of our beloved mother-in-law on last
Saturday afternoon, and gazed for the last time on her face
while living.  For 22 hours she had not changed her position,
and as her life ebbed away she just fell asleep on the bosom
of the Saviour, whom  she had for 59 years loved and served.
On July.th she sat at the table for the last time.  She had
to be helped, but she wanted to be where her children were.
During her sickness she suffered much, yet there was no complaining, no murmuring, and when she realized that the master
had called her to come home, she was prepared.  Death had no
terrors, as she had communed constantly with her maker
she was ready to say,
-'My home, henceforth, is in the skies;
Earth, sea, aiid sun, adieu.
All heaven's enfolded to my eyes,
I have iio sight for you. "
All realized that death would come, but we were not prepared to meet it. When the last silent breath had been drawn,
and we knew she had gone, then, and not till then did the
shock come.  All her children were present but one, who having gone to Los Angeles, Cal., could not come.  Before death
came she could not speak or recognize any one. Loving hands
administered to her wants and wishes as long as they could,
and on Monday morning she was laid to rest in the cemnetery.
She leaves eleven children and an aged husband to mlourn
her loss.
O! where shall human grief be stilled
And joy for pain be given,
Where dwells the sunshinie of a love
In wlich the soul miiay always rove?
A sweet voice an sweredl-lleaven.
The Pittsburgh C/hristian Advocate has the following notice
of Mother Davidson's death, written by her pastor:
162The Old and New Jfoonongahela.
She beganl very  early  in life to follow  Christ, the
result of which was that she became rooted and grounded
in the Christian faith.  Her steadfastness in the Apostles'
doctrine grew  with increasing years.  She could say with
Paul, "This one thing I do."  She allowed nothing of a
worldly character to interpose between her and Christian duty.
Her seat in the house of God was seldom vacant.  The word
of Christ came to her not in word only, but in transforming
power. The service of God was her chief joy. A little less
than a year ago we met at the home of brother and sister
Davidson to celebrate their goldell wedding, little thinking
that the bride of the occasion would so soon be enfolded in the
embrace of death.  She reared a large family of children, and
had the satisfaction of knowing ere she passed away that they
were in the fold of Christ.  Her funeral was largely attended.
Her last hours were spent in peaceful sleep; and when the
supreme moment came her spirit gently took its flight to the
regions of the immortals.  She was not, for God had taken
her.                              Signed G. A. SHEETS.
Mary, another daughter of Benjamin Thom'as, married
Samuel Jones, as we have already stated.  Harriet is the
widow of Win. Bealer and lives in West Newtonl.  Thomas
Hudson is a resident of Braddock, his wife having died some
years ago.  James married a Miss Winters, served in the army
in the late war, and died soon after his discharge.  Joseph resides in Evansville, Indiana; Elijah lives in Iowa; Van R.
was in the late war and now resides in Webster; Westley Ford
has long been a resident of San Francisco, California.  Hannah married Dr. J. C. Gamble, had long resided in Kansas,
and whilst on a visit to Pennsylvania, died at the house of
Rev. James Davidson in Bellevernoin, August 4, 1885.
Rose, another sister of Jos. Alexander, married John Mosely
--these were the parents of Westley B. Mosely, who died in
1876, and was a well known business man of the valley. Mrs.
Mosely, the widow, is a daughter of the late Dr. S. M. King,
of whom we have already written.  She resides in Allegheny.
163The t Old and YvIW  llonongyah elat.
of through passengers carried by its boats prior to 1852 would
astonish the modern enthusiast.
TRANSPORTATION BY WAGONS.
Before the time of railroads between the east and west of
the Alleghenly mountains, the freight business to the Moionongahela was carried onl by means of the Coinestoga road wagons
drawn by six horses.  By this way the freight to Pittsburgh
was carried exclusively, but after the completion of the Pennsylvania canal, transportation was divided betweein the canalboat
and the wagon. As early as 1817 12,000 wagonls, in twelve
months, passed over the Allegheny mountains fromn Philadelphia and Baltimnore, each with fromn four to six horses, carrying
from thirtyfive to forty hundred weight.  The cost was about
$7 per 100 weight, in some cases $10.  To transport one ton
of freight between Philadelphia and  Pittsburgh, therefore,
would cost about $140, aind in so doing two weeks, at least,
of time would be consumed.  Now, by the Pennsylvania railroad, a ton between these same cities will only cost $2.87. In.
1817 it cost $14 to carry a barrel of flour fromr Pittsburgh to
Philadelphia, and now the charge is only twenty-eight cents.
At that time the merchlant  paid $7 per 100 for his dry goods
hauled from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, the samne weight now
carried for fourteen cents.
The early irnmigrants carried much of their household goods
on horseback, and for years after their'arrival at their new
home they were compelled to make frequent pilgrimages to the
east in order to obtain salt, iron, and such like for their use.
Families combined and sent one or more to procure these things
for all. The roads over which traveling was accomnplished were
Indiain trails, and in manly places these were very hard to find.
EARLY FARMING.
The primitive farming was (lone either with oxen or horses,
as it suited the taste and ability of the owner.  The grouind
111Th6e Old awd Newlv iJonon(athelia.
Joseph Alexander was married to Mary Jones, daughter of
William Jones the older, March 8th, 1819, by the Rev. John
White, father of Judge J. W. F. White, now on the bench in
Pittsburgh. Mrs. Alexander died at her home in Monongahela City, August 15th, 1856.  Immediately after his marriage
Joseph Alexander with his bride moved to a farm in Rostraver
township, Westmoreland  county, adjoining the farms of
Samuel Jones and Benjamin Thomas.  The farn is now owned
by D. P. Housman.  The old log house has given place to a
beautiful frame.  The old barn still remains.  Father Jones
was on a visit to Joseph Alexander on the Sabbath morning
during which the Marquis de Lafayette passed through the
Forks, May 29th, 1825.  Father Jones was very strict in his
observance of the Sabbath, but in this instance yielded to the
pressure and walked over the hill to take a look at the Marquis.
Mr. Alexander, in the spring of 1828, sold his farm to Samuel
Jones and removed to Williamsport, now Monongahela City,
and entered into partnership with James Mills in the mercantile business. His son, William J., was born on the farm
April 16th, 1820; Rose Ann, now Mrs. Adams, and Eliza, now
Mrs. I-erron, were also born on the same farm.
The three-storied brick house on Main street, above Church
alley, owned by W. J. Markell, stands now on the site of the
house in which Mills  Alexander did business.  In the spring
of 1829, the partnership with Mills beiing dissolved, Alexander
removed to Cookstown, now Fayette City, and there carried on
a successful mercantile business until the spring of 1831, when
he returned to Williamsport, and entered into a partnership
with James McCauley to conduct a general mercantile business.
The building occupied by them was destroyed by fire in 1855,
and the site is now covered by the three-story brick building
near the corner of Main and Second streets.  The last partnership proving disastrous to Mr. Alexander, it was dissolved in
about one year, and the business carried on by Mr. Alexander.
Not long after this date McCauley removed to Jacksonville,
Illinois, where he soon afterwards died.  Ife was a gunsmith
164Nw(-, Old an,d New. Jlbwnogaltela.
by trade.  He built and occupied until his removal west the
house lately owned by Hon. G. V.. Lawrence, on the corner of
Main and Fifth streets.  During this last partnership Alexander occupied the house on Second street, where now the brick
building of Henry Sutman stands. In 1828-29 he lived in the
old brick house near the old Presbyterian church on Coal street,
owned and occupied for many years by the late Michael Johe.
In this house his son James S. was born.  In 1832 he purchased from John W. Hailman the property on Main street,
below Second street, on which the McGregor block now stands.
On this property his storerooms and dwelling were erected, and
in which he died June 20,1 1871, after having occupied it nearly
forty years.  He continued the business alone from  1832 to
1843, when the firm of Alexander  Son was organized by
taking into the business his son William J. Alexander.  This
firm continued until September, 1850 when it was reorganized
with the same partners under the style of Alexander  Co.,
which still exists. Subsequently James S. Alexander was taken
illto the firm, and at a later date Joseph A. Herron was added.
This has long been considered one of the most solid banking
houses in Western Pennsylvania, enjoying the confidence of
every class of people.  After the death of Josephl Alexander
the real estate referred to was sold to Isaac W. Jones.  During
his ownership the buildings erected by Alexander were burned.
but shortly afterwards re-built by Jones, and subsequently sold
to Will McGregor, who is the present owner.
DEATH OF WILLIAM WICKERHAM, IN 1879.
[Froim Daily Republican.]
William Wickerham, Esq., died in Carroll township in 1879
of general decline of age.  His interment took place on Sunday, and assembled one of the largest funerals ever known
in tlhe valley.
The ancestry of the famnily runs back to Germany, from
which couhntry Peter Wickerlhaim caime to Pennsylvania colony
and settled in Chester county.  The second son, Adam, came
13
165The Old and New iMonongahela.
to this place, took up a farm, the boundary being from the
City Hotel out as far as Kearney's and down to the line of
Dry run. The old Wickerham mansion was situated on the
river bank, but the site has long ago crumbled into the river.
Some of the timbers of the'old house were used in building
the Talbot cottage.  Adam Wickerham laid out his farm into
a town called Georgetown, the upper part of the place, owned
by the Parkison's, being called Parkison's ferry.  The two
were merged by act of Assembly, in 1833, and called
Williamsport.
Adam Wickerharn had four children: a son George, who
was drowned at the age of 22 in the Monongahela; Mary, who
married Andrew B. Chess, who died in 1857; William, the
subject of this notice, who was born in 1809; and Sarah, relict
of John Bausman, Esq., late of Washington, Pa., and one of
the most accomplished journalists of the state.
Mr. Wickerham moved to his farm in Carroll about 40 years
before his death, where he had continuously lived ever since.
Before he went to the farm he kept store for awhile in a building which stood near the pike, above aldermail William's
office.  He was married three times: to Nancy, sister of'
Captain Robert Phillips; to Mrs. Mary L. Jones, of Ohio, in
1862, who died in 1876; and to Mrs. Elizabeth Radcliffe, of
Washington, who yet survives him.
Mr. Wickerham's family consisted of Adam, who is married
and now lives in Carroll; David H., who died in 1838; James
S., married and now living near Beallsville; Eliza Jane, wife
of Noah Grant, Esq.; William Henry Harrison, married and
living in Carroll; Emeline Allen, who died in 1856; Maggie,
now the wife of Clinton Teeple; Mary Chess, wife of Lemon
Williams, now dead; Albert Gallatin, living on the home farm;
Alexander Wilson, married and living in East Bethlehem; and
John Dewitt, married and living on the home place.  All
honorable men and women, who bear the family name with
credit to themselves.
The deceased was long a consistent member of the Methodist
166The Olad ndNew iMlonongcahAela.
Episcopal Church of this city.  In this community, to his
general character as a man, we need hardly refer. We sincerely
believe no man lives whom he ever wronged out of a penny;
no man lives who ever knew him to do a mean thing, or an act
to stain a long record of honesty, probity and truth.  He was
careful in business and gave each one of his sons and daughters
a home.  He was hospitable, and there be few people in this
neighborhood, young or old, who have not enjoyed the hospitality of his hearthstone.  No l1ers6n in all this valley has
been kinder to the poor. To sum it up, William Wickerham
lived the life of a good main, an houest man and a Christian.
His public spirit was unbounded. No matter what society
or occasion asked for contribution, his basket and purse were
both ready; he loved to attend public demonstrations. The
Fourth of July his patriotism  made him regard as sacred;
Thanksgiving day his religion taught him to Venerate; Decoration day his devotion to country made one of the holiest days
of all the year.
The military spirit was strong in this family from its landing
on our shores.  The grandfather and uncle as young men went
to Kentucky and volunteered in the Indian wars.  He used to
relate stories of that war as told him by his father.  The boys
had taken up 1,200 acres of land in Kentucky, and planted it
to corn and pumpkins, when the Indians drove them  back.
Adam and Peter went over one day for some pumpkins, and
having gathered a sackful, were about to return, when Peter
saw anl Indian; he gave the alarm and ran to the river, but
Adam, thinking it only a joke, was soon confronted by Mr.
Injun, and no chance of escape.  Being a very strong man, he,
slung the sack of squash at the red man and squashed him.
During the Whiskey Insurrection, the grandfather, Adam,
was arrested by one of the deputy marshals, and escaped being
"'sent over " as a prisoner by playing idiot. To every question
asked, he answered: A' Ah-ha-a," so that the officer said, "Let
this man go, he is a fool."  The archives of the Wickerham
family are full of incidents of frontier life.
167168           The Old and New)  onongonahela.
When the rebellion broke out MNr. Wickerham gave three
of his boys to the right side; and when the rebels advanced to
Antietam, he, himself, sixty years of age, shouldered his musket
and went, under Capt. Wm. J. Alexander, to the front as a
soldier of the 18th Pennsylvania Militia.  In early life he was
a member of Jackson Guards, under Capt. Sam. Morgan.
Rev. Dr. Bracken delivered a very excellent address at the
funeral; and as the long cortage followed to his grave all that
was left of this venerable man, the universal sentiment of the
occasion was:-" He was a good man-mnay his soul abide in
peace. "
DEATH OF MR. JOHN KING, IN 1881.
Mr. King was born in 1791 in New Jersey.  His father,
Courtland King, moved to a farm near Library, in Allegheny
county, crossing the Monongahela river at Elizabeth when
John was one year old, and on his birthday in 1792. The
father lived upon and died on that farm in his 62d year.  Of
the older family, all died some time ago, but John, the subject
of this sketch, a brother named Elijah who lives in Indianapolis, and Isaac, who lives near Library.
John King lived with his parents till he was 28 years of age,
when he married Miss Jane Stewart, and went to house keeping near his father's, in Jefferson township.  The Stewart
family was one of the most influential in that neighborhood.
Mrs. King's father was active in the whiskey insurrection, and
was siezed and taken to Little York, theil the seat of governmerit, for trial, but was included in the compromise pardon
and returiled to his home rejoicing that the disturbance was
settled, and a better basis of taxation secured to his people.
Mr. King removed with his family to Forward township, havilng
bought the farm which he still owned at his death from Mr.
John Storer, May, 1836.  He lived there until 1873, when he
moved to the house in Cenitral Block, where the family now
lives.  This family consisted of Dr. James Stewart, now of
Pittsburgh; Mary L., who died in 1877; Dr. William H., ofTlie Old avnd New leq ono o aelo,a.
this city; John, of Spring Valley, Minn.; Dr. Courtland, of
Pittsburgh; Jane, wife of James Moore, who died in 1854;
lDr. Calvin, of Pittsburgh; Samuel J., of Forward township;
Robert, Harvey and an infant child, all dead; Dr. Milton S.,
of Pittsburgh; and Allie M., who married Mr. Devore.  Of
these sons, one is a farmer, one a merchant, and five are surgeon dentists of acknowledged ability and reputation.
Mr. King was a reader and a thinker; in early life a Whig,
he left that party when it yielded its homage to a solid south
on the slavery question; then an abolitionist.  He was one of
three voters in his district who ballotted for Birney, and since
then a Republican.  He was a Baptist, and in his opinion was
rigid and unyielding, and he clung to his faith with a justifiable
denominationial pride, having at the same time a large measure
of Christian love and charity which knew no boundary save the
brotherhood of mankind.
Ninety years-almost the life of the nation!  He has lived
under every President of the United States, and has voted at
every Presidential election since Madison.  There have been
18 Governors of Pennsylvania elected since he was born, all
now dead but two. When he was born Frederick the Great
had just died; Benjamin Franklin's grave was not yet green;
the Whiskey Insurrection was aflame; Napoleon was born and
was entombed, all within Mr. King's recollection. He was
46 years of age when Victoria ascended the throne of England;
He was 24 when Jackson fought Packenham at New Orleans;
he has read in the papers the black-lined columns which announced the death of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison,
Monroe, Adams (John Quincy), Jackson, VanBuren, Harrison,
_Iyler, Polk, Taylor, Fillmnore, Pierce, Buchanan, Lincoln and
Iohnson.  He has lived to see the successful issue of our three,vars. When he was born neither steamboat, nor telegraph,
ior railroad, nor photograph had been invented, and a daily
)aper, an envelope, a postage stamp, a steel pen, were unknown.
le has beeu counted in every census of the United States, and'as seen his country grow from three (3,929,217) to nearly
ifty millions of people. -lfionongaAela Repnblican.
169The Old and New ilonongyahela.
DEATH OF DR. WILLIAM H. KING.
[From the Monongahela Republican.]
About 10 o'clock on Saturday evening, July 16th, 1892, Dr.
William H. King, the well known dental surgeon of this city,
died at his home in his 70th year.  He had been ill but a few
days. William H. King was born on the farm in Jefferson
township, Allegheny county, Pa., April 17th, 1823, in what
is now the centre of the West Elizabeth gas and oil field. He
spent the first 14 years of his life there, and was playmate and
schoolmate with the late James P. Shepler. He was the third
child of John and Jane King, there being ten sons and three
daughters.  Six of the family yet live: Mrs. A. K. Devore,
Williamson, Kansas; Dr. Courtland Kilng, Uniontown; Dr. J.
S. Calvin, and Dr. M. S., of Pittsburgh, and John King, of
Spring Valley, Minn.
The family moved from Jefferson to Forward township, over
the river, where the boys and girls mingled with Monongahela
young folks, and grew up part and parcel of our local society.
William stayed on the farm till he was 21 years of age, when
he attended lectures at the Ohio College of Dentistry, Cincinnati, where he took an honorary degree.  He practised
dentistry in Lancaster, Ohio, for a number of years, then came
to the home place, where he was living when the war broke out.
He enlisted in Co. F, 155th Pa. vols., under Captain John
Markell, August 22d, 1862, in which regiment he served with
distinction, being twice promoted for bravery, once from the
ranks at the request of General Allebaugh, and once by General Pearson.  He was mustered out as first lieutenant at the
close of the war.
Dr. King, as officer of the skirmish line, had advanced with
the troops opposite to Appomattox Court House when the flag
of truce came in, and so he saw the end of the war, and
received one of the surrender flags.  His record as a soldier is
a rich legacy left to his family, and as he rests in his coffin
with the bronze brown badge of the Grand Army on his pulse170The Old and Yewl Monongahela.          171
less breast, it covers a heart that never faltered in war or in
peace, in devotion to the flag, to country, to citizenship.  His
regard for loyalty could brook no excuse. Recently when the
Homestead trouble began, his sympathy with the mill men was
pronounced, but as soon as they overstepped the law he was
instantly changed to the other side. When some suggested
that the militia would run before a Winchester rifle, his indignation broke forth, saying, "What! would they run with the
blue on-? No, no! If they did I would be willing to help
shoot them down myself." IHe was loyal to the blue.
In politics Dr. King was republican, in religious inclinations
he favored the Baptist belief; as a citizen progressive, public
spirited and modern.  His ideas as to advanced education
found expression in the new school building and the excellent
schools then established.  He was once in councils, and was
assistant Burgess of the town in 1872.  After the war he located in this city in the practice of dentistry, being quite
successful always. He was married in Pittsburgh to Miss Jane
Carpenter, May 4th, 1871, to whom, and to his only daughter,
Jane, the sympathy of many warm friends go out in sincerity
in this hour of shadow.
Dr. King was a genial, pleasant man; fond of humor, cheerful and contented: he hated sham, despised bigotry, and as a
general thing was for the under dog in a fight--ready to help
a man up, willing to befriend the weak, anxious to see justice
done; and in a quiet way, without ostentation or parade, to do
his own duty as he understood it.
We extract from the Elizabeth tlerald of June 7, 1889, the
following sketch of
JOHN E. SHAFFER, M. D.
John Eckert Shaffer was born at Washington, Pa., February
22, 1821, and died May 31, 1889, at his home in Elizabeth,
Pa. He was a son of John and Charlotte Shaffer, two worthy
people, and was one of a family of ten children, they being:172Te Old anod New ifXonnO'gahela.
William, deceased; Anna Charlotte Weirich, deceased; Alexander Swaney, deceased; Susan E. McCaskey, of Washington,
Pa.; Rev. Jacob S. Shaffer, of Allegheny, Pa.; Mrs. Mary
McElhinney, of Fairfield, Iowa; Mrs. Elizabeth Coffin, of
Fairfield, Iowa; Christian S. Shaffer, of Des Moines, Iowa;
Dr. J. M. Shaffer, of Keokuk, Iowa.
Dr. Shaffer was a self-made man. His parents, who were
in moderate circumstances, aided him in getting through Washington College, at which institution he was graduated in 1840.
He began the study of law, and soon after his graduation went
to Preston county, Va., where he was admitted to the bar in
1842.  This profession does not seem to have been congenial,
for we find him soon reading medicine, and meanwhile teaching school at Kingwood, Va., for a livelihood. He was graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, April 4, 1845.  His preceptor in his
medical studies was Dr. F. Julius LeMoyne, of Washington,
Pa., of national fame as an Abolition leader, and of worldwide repute as the builder of the first crematory for disposing
of the dead in the United States.
Dr. Shaffer came to Elizabeth December 10, 1845, and
began the practice of medicine.  His residence here has been
continuous ever since that, and at his death he was the oldest
practitioner of medicine in the Monongahela valley, his mantle
now falling on the shoulders of Dr. J. S. VanVoorhis, of
Bellevernon. His practice in the early days took him over a
large extent of country, and from this fact added to his prominence in every public imiovement, he was one of the most
widely known men, not only in his own community, but in
the Monongahela valley.
He was married Mlarch 26, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth S.
Holmes, daughter of Rev. George S. IHolmes, alnd
sister of Dr. C. A. Holmnes, the well known Methodist
Episcopal divine.  His wife passed on before him  to the
other world July  2, 1880.   They  had eight children,
and it is a remarkable fact that these have all lived to grow to
172Tl/ie Old and N2ew  Xonongahela.       173
maturity, and all now have families of their own save one.
They are:  Mary H. Kerbey, of Homestead, Pa.; John S.
Shaffer, of Homestead; Dr. P. T. B. Shaffer, of Elizabeth;
Mrs. Jennie Linn Jack, of Pittsburgh; Mrs. Annie Le Moyne
Bower, of Homestead; Mrs. Susan E. Plummer, of Emsworth,
Pa.; Dr. Charles Holmes Shaffer, of Elizabeth; Miss Elizabeth
L. Shaffer, of Elizabeth. There are eighteen grandchildren
and one great-grandchild living, and have never been any
deaths among the Doctor's descendants.
Dr. Shaffer will be greatly missed in this community.  He
has been prominently identified with every public movement in
the community for many years. He was a man of most positive convictions, and had the courage of his convictions at all
times.  He was not afraid of being on the unpopular side of
any question, and if he thought he was right, would manfully
uphold his opinions in the face of any amount of opposition.
He was intensely fond of controversy, and his intimate friends
knew that he would often take the contrary side of a question
for the sake of argument.  But in matters right and of principle, as he saw them, he was firm as a rock.
He was one of the most methodical of men, and ordered his
daily walk by a system which was accuracy itself. During all
the many years that he lived in Elizabeth -he kept a daily
record of conditions and events which has grown to be of
almost incalculable value.  This included a record of the state
of the weather, temperature taken three times each day and the
highest and lowest noted, rainfall and snow, any important
events transpiring in the community, a record of all deaths in
the town and vicinity, the ages of all inhabitants of advanced
years, and a host of other things.  The hlerald acknowledges
a great debt of gratitude for constant access to these records,
and the aid they have been in making up the weekly record of
this publication. Requests for information were reaching the
Doctor almost constantly from various sources. and they
always met a courteous, ready response with the information
desired, if it was in his power to give it.  It is to be hoped12             T(77we Old and MlW  no)w Miovqa/ctah,(a.
after being cleared was soft and easily turned up by the hlomemade plow, consisting of a straight beam and lhandles, with a
wooden mould-board, tlle share and coulter alone being ironl.
The harrow was triangular in shape, as often we see in inodern
days, but the teeth were of wood and the frame of hewn timnber.  The gears were principally at first such as were brought
with tile settler from the east, but the new ones, aild r epairiilg
was made from ropes, home-nmade out of tow, which was the
second quality of flax.
Sowing of grain was done broadcast, in whiichl tile modern
invention of drilling is not generally admitted to be an imnprovement.  Small grain was gathered with the sickle.  After
the country was somlewhat-opened up a system of reaping was
adopted.  The fields were run out at the time of sowing in
what was called lands eight feet wide.  Two full hand reapers
were expected to cut this width and keep up with the gang or
else be docked in their pay.  The best reaper was selected as
the leader and the rest had to follow not far behind until the emnd
of the tk/rouq/.  It was a beautiful sight to look upon a gang
of twenty or more reapers.  Not unfrequently even the leader
would retire to tlle shade, laving,' given out" as it was called,
but in miodern parlance such a conditioln is considered a sunst9,oke.  At the end of the t/Aroaq/ty, which extended across the
field, one-half of the reapers took up all the sickles anid carried
them back half way to the starting poillt, where, on the arrival
of the other half the sickles were taken up, thus the grain cut
was bounld inito sheaves by the time the gang reachled the beginning.  Tile two on each land always put their grainl in one
grip so as to facilitate the bindinig.
Generally before another round was imade, cool water from
an adjacent spring and whiskey from  the green glass bottle
were handed around anid each partook freely to brace up the
physical nature, yet a drunken man in the harvest field was a
rare occurence and looked iiponi as very disgraceful conduct.
Women on many farmns were as expert reapers as men.  The
scarcity of men laborers called the women into service in orderThe Old and New ]oononqahela.
that this valuable record will not be allowed to stop with
his death.
The Doctor was a frequent contributor to the local press, and
his trenchant style and entertaining descriptive powers are
familiar to readers of the hIerald.  His "Reminiscences of
Forty Years in Elizabeth," published in installments in this
paper a few years ago, attracted particular attention.  He left
an interesting autobiography in manuscript, which will probably be published. He was a great reader of the papers, and
kept fully posted on events of the day.   He was a great
admirer of the New York Tribune, having read it daily from
the time of Horace Greeley, whom he regarded as one of the
greatest men this country ever produced.   It is illustrative of
his methodical habits to state that he had every daily issue of
the paper above named carefully filed away where it could be
had immediately if wanted. His file runs back to a period bfore the war.  He likewise never destroyed a letter, and in his
long and active career accumulated a vast collection of letters,
all of which are carefully filed away.
For nearly a quarter of a century the Doctor was postmaster
of Elizabeth, having been appointed first by President Lincoln.
He held the office as long as he desired, and then resigned
voluntarily.  During the war lie was in the front for a time as
a volunteer surgeon.  He filled at various times positions of
honor and trust in the borough, among them, burgess, councilman and school director, and he took a deep interest in all
public matters, being an earnest and active republican from the
foundation of the party. He was a warm personal friend of
Hon. James G. Blaine from boyhood, and when in Elizabeth,
Mr. Blaine has always made Dr. Shaffer's house his stopping
place, since the breaking up of Mr. Blaine's mother's home
here.  The family received a telegram of condolence from the
secretary of state, who was unable to attend the funeral.
The following practitioners of medicine were students in Dr.
Shaffer's office while pursuing their studies:   Samuel W.
McCune, M. D., of Winehester, Va.; George S. Holmes, M.
1747The Old and New Mlonongahela.
ID., deceased; John S. Woods, M. D., of Kansas City, Mo.;
J. A. Craighead, M. D., of Pittsburgh, Pa.; John N. McCune,
M. ID., of Suterville, Pa.; P. T. B. Shaffer, M. D., and
Charles H. Shaffer, M. D., of Elizabeth.
In his religious life the Doctor was undemonstrative, but
earnest and faithful.  He became a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church under the ministry of Rev. McCready, about
the year 1858, and continued in that relation up to the time
of his death, partaking of the Lord's Supper at its altar
the Sabbath before he was called from earth.  He was almost
constantly an office bearer in the.church, and was always a liberal supporter of it. He was in a marked degree faithful in
his attendance at the preaching of the word, and all the meetings which his official relation to the church entailed, though
this was often at a personal sacrifice of the time of a very busy
mnan.  He was warmly devoted to the denomination of his
his choice, but had nothing of narrowness or sectarian bigotry
about him, having contributed to the erection of every church
edifice erected since his settlement in Elizabeth.  He was a
Bible scholar of rare attainments, and read the sacred volume
through scores of times, having made it his custom for many
years to read it through at least once each year.  He read his testament both in our authorized version and in the original Greek,
and was seldom at fault in a scripture quotation or reference.
He said to a friend a few days before his death that he believed
every word of the Bible, that Jesus Christ came into the world,
the Son of God, to save sinners, and he accepted him as his
Saviour.
The Doctor was always a ready and liberal giver to all worthy
objects, though much of his giving was unobtrusive, and never
came to the light of publicity. He was a genial man, and even
in his last days, when he knew that death was sure to come
soon, and almost certain to come suddenly, he never lost his
cheerfulness, but had a pleasant word or joke for every friend.
He was peculiarly fond of children, and was never too busy to
bestow some attention on the little ones. Was there one in
1751T/he Old and NYew Jfononygahela.
town, old enough to know anything, who was not personally
acquainted with the good old doctor? Was there one to whom
he had not at some time given a bite of the ever present stick
of licorice? We doubt it, for it was one of the commonest
sights in our streets to see him surrounded by a group of little
folks, and seemingly to enter fully into their youthful joys.
He was thrown from his gig July 28th, 1878, and received
injuries from which he never fully recovered, his heart and
bladder trouble being readily traceable to this injury.  He suffered severely for some years before his death, his chief affliction was a bladder affection, the irritation and nervousness
growing from which induced a heart trouble, manifesting itself
by sudden failure of the organ.  He fully expected to die just
as he did, suddenly, and awaited the event with a calmness
which was heroic.  His funeral on Monday, with services in
the M. E. Church, was one of the largest ever known here, the
large auditorium of the church being wholly inadequte to contain the large crowd which, notwithstanding the downpour of
rain, assembled from all the country around, to pay their last
tribute of respect.  The impressive services were conducted by
Rev. J. J. Hill, pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. D. H.
Pollock, pastor of the U. P. Church, and Rev. C. A. Holmes of
Pittsburgh.  In accordance with the Doctor's wish, his remains
were carried to the cemetery, and the whole concourse walked.
He was laid to rest in Elizabeth cemetery, his brethren of the
Odd Fellows, of which order he was for many years a member,
bearing his body to the tomb.
THE WALKER FAMILY.
In the year 1785 Samuel Walker, with his wife Elizabeth
and a family of children, emigrated from Wilmington, Delaware to Virginia Court House, situate on the west side of the
Monongahela river, at McFarland's Ferry, about two miles
above Elizabeth.  Court had been held at this place from 1777
to 1781, while this region was still under the jurisdiction of
Virginia.
176-The Old and N2ew XI ononqahela.
Walker was of Irish extraction, but was born in Delaware,
where he had served a number of terms in the Legislature
before moving to the west.  In 1768 he married Elizabeth
Springer, the granddaughter of Carl Christopher Springer, a
Swedish nobleman of prominence in the history of Wilmington, Delaware.  In his new home Walker became a farmer
and also operated the ferry at that place, where, in November,
1794, he ferried Gen. Morgan's army, which had been sent to
suppress the whiskey insurrection, across the river.  Shortly
after this date his son, Major John Walker, came to Elizabeth,
which had been laid out in 1787, by Stephen  Bayard, where
he, John Walker, married in 1797, Diana, daughter of Robert
and Mary (Davidson) Craighead, and engaged in boatbuilding,
which was then in its infancy, but was destined in a few years
to make the town famous.  In 1801 Major John Walker, with
a company of farmners, built the schooner "Monongahela
Farmer, " a vessel of 200 tons.  It was loaded with flour,
whiskey, c., and floated to New Orleans, where the vessel
and cargo were sold.  This was the first sea-going vessel built
west of the Allegheny mountains.
In 1802 the brig Ann Jane of 450 tons was built here for
the Messrs. McFarlane, merchants.  Major Walker loaded her
with flour and whiskey and sailed her via New Orleans to New
York, where he disposed of both brig and cargo. The quadrant used by him on this voyage is still in the possession of the
family at Elizabeth.  In 1803 Major Johli  Walker built the
boats used in Lewis  Clark's exploration of the Missouri
river and the Northwestern part of the United States.  He also
kept the Manrsionl House, the only hotel in Elizabeth, where
he entertained General La Fayette on the occasion of the
latter's visit to this region in 1825.  He died in Elizabeth at
the age of 86, having raised a family of eight children.
His second son, John Walker, Jr., married Nancy, daughter
of Solomon and Nancy (Speers) Krepps, of Brownsville, Pa.
He was extensively engaged in the mercantile business in
Elizabeth for many years, but has retired, and now resides
1177The Old and New ionongahela.
with his wife in Denver, Colorado. They have three children,
John Brisben, Bolivar Krepps, and Mary.Krepps.  John
Brisben Walker is tlhe well known owner and editor of the
Cosmopolita~n.
His third son, Major Robert C. Walker, married Eliza,
daughter of Ephriam and Maria, (Gillespie) Blaine, sister of the
late Hon. James G. Blaine.  He was engaged in various pursuits until the war of the Rebellion. He was at one time a
member of the Pennsylvania Legislature. When the war broke
out he entered the Union army and there attained the rank
of major. After the war he continued in the regular army,
stationed at St. Paul, Minnesota, and Helena, Montana, until
he was retired by reason of his age. He still lives in Helena,
and has four children living, viz: James Blaine Walker (City
Treasurer of Helena); William G. Walker. of Washington, D.
C.; Julia, (Mrs. Daniel Fiske), of Helena, and Margaret, (Mrs.
O. J. Salisbury), of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mary, the oldest daughter of Major John Walker, was married in 1819 to Solomon Speers, of Bellevernon, Pa. They
moved to Peoria, Illinois, where they died. Five children survive them, viz: Diana, (Mrs. Joseph Gallagher), of Jefferson
City, Iowa; Noah Speers, of Illinois; Solomon P. Speers,
of Baltimore, Md.; Robert Speers, of Jefferson City, Iowa,
and Mary Evaline (Mrs. Fred Gilbert), of Peoria, Illinois.
Matilda, the second-daughter of Major John Walker, was married to William K. Vankirk, of Elizabeth. They lived fourteen years in Millsboro, Pa., after their marriage, and then returned to Elizabeth, where they both died. Two children survive them, viz., Samuel W. Vankirk, a merchant of Elizabeth,
and Angeline G. Walker, (widow of John S. Walker, of Miinneapolis, Minnesota.)  Diana, the third daughter of Major
John Walker, was married to Samuel Frew, the first lawyer
and editor of Elizabeth.  They both spent their lives in
Elizabeth.  An  only  child  survives them, viz., Eugene
B. Frew, of Bolden, Colorado.   Their daughlter, Antonette, married Jacob H. Miller, Esq., of Pittsburgh.  She
178The Old and lew Jionongahela.          179
died in 1890, leaving two children, Horace J. and Adelaide.
Sarah, fourth daughter of Major John Walker, married Dr.
W. A. Penniman, of Elizabeth. They lived from 1856 to 1871
in NMinneapolis, Minnesota. They had no children.
Julia, fifth daughter of Major John Walker, was married to
John McDonough, merchant, of Elizabeth, where they both
spent their lives.  Three children survive them, viz., Mary,
(Mrs. I. N. Large), of Denver, Col.; Annie, (Mrs. Caleb McCune), of Hazelwood, Pittsburgh, and Corinne McDonough, of
Denver, Col.
Samuel, the oldest son of Major John Walker, (born in 1798),
succeeded his father in the boat building business, and it was
during his administration that it attained its greatest proportions.
For many years he kept three boat yards in coinstant operation,
and built many famous boats, among them the renowned "J.
M. White," the fastest steamboat that ever turned a wheel on
the Mississippi river.  Prior to 1857, 312 boats had been built
at the Walker boat yards in Elizabeth.  He was also extensively engaged in the mercantile business, and was the first
postmaster of Elizabeth.  In 1819 he married Nancy, daughter of Noah and Nancy (Frey) Speers, of Bellevernon, and in'
1869 they celebrated their golden wedding.  They raised a
family of ten children, six of whom are living (1893), viz.;
Wm. B. Walker, of Madison, Mo.; Lucinda, (Mrs. R. P.
Voorhies), of San Jose, Cal.; Noah S. Walker, of Colorado,
Texas; Samuel Walker, merchant, of Elizabeth; Nannie, (Mrs.
A. R. Pope), of Macon, Mo., and Mary, (Mrs. T. B. Barnes),
of Pittsburgh, E. E. The deceased are Thomas P. Walker,
who left a widow and two children, of Elizabeth; James S.
Walker, who left a widow and four children, now of McKeesport; John S. Walker, of Minneapolis, Minn., who left a widow
(Mrs. Angeline G. Walker) and one son by adoption, Albert J.
Walker, (a son of Noah S.), who now resides (1893) in Elizabeth.  He is one of the rising attorneys at the Pittsburgh bar.
His office is 129 Fifth avenue.  Diana, (Mrs. General James
A. Ekin), of Louisville, Ky., who left two children, Win. M.
Ekin, and Mary, (Mrs. A. E. Willson), of Louisville, Ky.The Old and New  on,onga,hela.
General James A. Eken was engaged in boat building business in Elizabeth at the outbreak of the Rebellion, having
succeeded his father-in-law, Samuel Walker. He entered the
U. S. army and in a short time was made assistant Quartermaster, and in time attained the rank of Colonel and Brevet
Brigadier General.  He continued in the service after the war
was over, stationed at San Antonio, Texas, and later at Louisville, Ky., where he died in March, 1891.
SAMUEL FREW.
Samnuel Frew, son of Andrew Frew, was born in Elizabeth
in 1810, and studied law under Hon. Walter Forward, and became the first lawyer of Elizabeth. At the early age of 18 lie
was editor and proprietor of the Pe?)cnnvslvanian, a campaign
paper, and later of the Monongahela ljlfs8enqer, one of the
early newspapers of the valley.  He served a term in the State
Legislature, and was appointed by Gov. Ritner, Prothonatory
of the Supreme Court.  He was a brilliant and talented writer
and lawyer, and was eminently.suni gye.e;,sei in his make up. He
was naturally endowed with wonderful abilities, was quick of
comprehension and probably one of the finest conversationalists
in his own or any other community.  Ile was always revolving some vast scheme in his mind, and always intended to put
themn in execution but never succeeded.  No doubt one trouble
was his being ahead of the times in which he lived.  One of
his pet schemes was located at Tygart Valley Falls, West Va.
This was laid out on a grand scale and work commenced, Mr.
Frew asserting that it would not be long before a railroad would
be located and put in operation in this apparenitly inaccessible
region, which has since been accomplished. He married Diana,
daughter of Major John Walker, and died in 1861.
A TRIBUTE  DEATH OF MRS. SARAH WILSON.
[From Daily Monongahela Republican. ]
The death of this well known person, which occurred December 18th, 1889, at the residence of her brother, Rev. Dr.
iso[Eke Old and NYew iifonoq akela.18
Hamilton, in Washington, Pa., removes fromn among us one of
our oldest native residents.  She was born in this place October 24th, 1813, being the eldest child of Joseph and Margaret
(Ferguson) Hamilton.  With the exception of a few occasional
absences her whole life was spent here.  In 183'7 she was
married to Mr. Henry Wilson who died many years ago.
Since that time she has lived a comparatively secluded life.
Last August she went on a visit to her friends in Washington.
1er health seemed to be quite good for one of her age, but
being suddenly attacked with acute pain in her breast she sank
rapidly, and within 24 hours her life ended.
After brief religious services at Washington, conducted by
Rev. Drs. Browilson, Woods and Stevenson, her body was
brought to this place on the 19th, and the day following was
interred from the house of her relative, C. W. Hlazzard.  Of
her three surviving children, all residing in Illinois, two were
present, Mrs. Smith F. Wilson, of Bloomington, and Mlr, R.
F. Wilson, of Chicago (accompanied by his wife). On accoulnt
of the casual illnese of her pastor, Rev. Dr. Maxwell, the
services of a former pastor, Rev. Dr. Campbell, of Sewickley,
were solicited and kindly tendered.  I)r. C. spoke with much
feeling of her christian character and of her sudden departure.
She had feared the Lord from her youth, had been a member of
the Presbyteriain cllurch here for more thanl 50 years, had been
in some important respects an example for others to imitate,
Though the sphere in which AMrs. Wilson moved in the latter
years of her life was a retired one, she will be not a little
missed out of our community.  She had lived here so long, she
had in earlier life taken such an active interest in all current
events, and possessed naturally such an umnusually retentive
memory that her mind seemed to be a storehouse of local information, and she was constantly being made the arbiter of
doubtful points in local history.  In personal ministry to the
sick and afflicted she was a model of self-sacrificing kindness.
During the memorable period of the civil war, her two
sons being in the army, she gave her time and thought almost
14
181T18eN Old and New Monongonahela.
incessantly to those ministries of kindness for the relief of the
sick and wounded soldiers which were then so largely and constantly required, and which here as elsewhere throughout the
country, were so freely rendered.
If the question were asked why it was that Mrs. Wilson,
"Aunt Sarah" as she was familiarly called by so many, had
su'ch a warm place in the hearts of those who best knew her,
the reply would doubtless embrace at least two points.  One
of these is that already alluded to, her sacrificing kind heartedness. The other, a certain cheerfulness and equinimity which
she owed partly to nature and partly to grace, and which no
adversity was able to extinguish.  In youth she was remarkably vivacious, and with strong social tastes anid attachinents,
enjoyed life fully.  In later years, though overtaken with
many and specially severe trials, she did not fall into a murmuring and repining spirit, but was patient, submissive, hopeful.  She could always see a bright side to everything.  She
did not torment herself with fears and distrust of the future.
Her faith in Providence was not a theory simply, it was
thoroughly and habitually practical. She had nothing to complain of.  She envied no one.  She lived less for herself than
for others.  She was cheerful, contented, happy; and found
her greatest delight in ministering to the happiness of others.
Dear, kind Aunt Sarah!  How much more she did for us all
than any of us could ever do for her.-Monongahela City,
January 5th, 1890.
SCOTT FAMILY.
William Scott, Sr., with his wife, Rebecca, emigrated from
Ireland with their family, consisting of Fannie, John, Thomas,
Jane, Mary Joseph, Alexander, Angel and Rebecca.  They
sailed on the ship Dolphin and landed at New Castle, below
Philadelphia, September 6, 1796.  April 6, 1800, Thomas
Scott, son of William and Rebecca, purchased the tract of land
on Mingo Creek in Washington county, Penn'a, now (1888)
owned by Cowan, Lofink and Crookham, upon which, necar the
182Thee Old and NY(w/, iJ[o~fiuaAela.     183
bank of the creek, stood at that time a large log mill, and near
by a log house, the latter of which was erected in 1790, and
still stands firm. At what time or by whom the mill was built
we have no information. Thomas Scott, with his sister Mary,
took possession of this house on date of purchase and attended
the mill, which was an undershot wheel mill. Thoimas Scott
married Margaret Turner, March 14, 1802.  His father Wm.
Scott, was, in the 26th year of his age, with most of his family,
settled about the same time on the head waters of Mingo creek,
near what is now known as Dunningsville.
William Turner, father-in-law of Thomas Scott, with his
fanlily, emigrated froin Ireland at an earlier day, when the
wife of Thomas was only two years old.  William Turner also
settled in the east end of Washington county.  The Turners
were nearly related to the Rogers family, one of whose girls
married Benjamin Parkison, Sr., who was the grandfather of
A. R. Parkison of this day. The Rogers were also ScotchIrish, and in Ireland were considered of the highest class of
citizens, fond of style and fine dress.  In the log house above
mentioned Thomas Scott and his wife had to them born eleven
children, under the medical ministrations of the good old midwife, Granny McCord, at the cost price of two dollars for each
birth.  She made it the business of her life and was very successful.
In 1812 Thomas Scott erected the mill on Mingo, now or
recently owned by R. Cowan. This mill had undershot wheels.
In 1831 he applied a steam engine to this mill. In 1835 he
sold the mill and farm to Samuel Morgan, and bought what
was known as the Bentley mill and farm, now known as the
Iarrison Distillery, and is situated a short distance up froin
the mouth of Mingo creek.  The wife and son John died here,
the former December 24, 1849, and the latter at the date as
above stated.  In August, 1851, the mill, house and 16 acres
of land was sold to T. Mitchell.  The family then removed to
Monongahela City.  In 1852 Thomas Scott built the brick
house in that city in which Mark Borland now resides.  In17w4 0ld (,ltd Ne.,w JTo,1ho)qaheia,..
to save the grain.  A days work in the harvest field was from
daylight to dark.
The barn was generally erected of round logs in double
form.  The barn roof was made with clap-boards at first, then
of straw and finally of shingles.  The clap-boards were rived
or split by a tool called a frow, from the best of oak timber.
These boards were kept in place by what was called knees and
weight poles. The straw-roof was made of rye straw bound
in small bundles by a bark withe and these tied neatly to the
wood-work of the roof. The straw-roof well put on was more
lasting than any other roof and to this day, we occasionally
meet with one over half century old.
In addition to the barn, there was erected on some farms
what was known as the barracks, this was about 20 feet square
with an open floor on which to rest the grain and at each corner an upright post at least twenty feet high, on these corners
a imovable roof was placed.  By a lever and pills this roof
could be raised at will, so that as the grain was built up inside,
it would be moved so as to allow more or less room.
All these improvements were done pretty much by the
household itself and the voluntary assistance of the neighbors.
The tools consisted principally of an axe, hand axe, hand and
cross-cut saw, draw knife, a frow, a few augers and a gimlet,
and perllaps a hammer.  Nails were not used in the beginning, but wooden pins.  Some of the more wealthy settlers
brought with them a few shoemaker's tools so that their own
mending could be done.
Threshing was done with the flail during the winter.
The original settlers in western Pennsylvania based their
titles to farms on the tomahawk right.  Having selected a
desirable spot they encircled it with a line marked by blazing
trees with an axe.  There was no attention to angles, degrees
anld chains, the sole object being to designate the boundaries
of the tract without reference to the number of acres.  Lines
thus indicated were held sacred by all parties and to this day
are legal.  These irregular lines have given rise to ill shaped
131The Old and New 2lonongahela.
this house Thomas Scott died February 19, 1856. Thomas
Scott's brother Alexander inherited a large fortune on the death
of his uncle Joseph Orr, a rich batchelor who died on the
Jamaica Islands.
Mary, a sister of Thomas Scott, who was his housekeeper,
on his settling in 1802, was married to John Friar, a merchant;
who owned the farm three-quarters of a mile on the pike east
of Ginger Hill.  He, there for a time kept a valuable store.
He died possessing what in those days was called great wealth.
Their only child, a daughter, Jane, married Major John S.
Clokey. He also run the mercantile business at this place, but
being extravagant in his way of living, and unsuccessful in his
dealings, he soon exhausted his wife's fortune, and both died
poor.
William Scott died in Stubenville, Ohio, January 24th, 1876.
The older citizens will call to mind William when he lived in
the old log house over the mill-race, opposite the present residence of the late Nathan Wylie, on Pigeon creek, and attended
the mill for Isaac VanVoorhis. They will no doubt recollect
his little boy Winfield, who is now one of the most prominent
mercantile men in Steubenville, Ohio, and president of several
large business associations in that city.
Matilda had two sons, James and Oliver, who are now
(1888) extensive business men in Toledo, Ohio. James owning
one-half of a wholesale store doing yearly one million of sales.
Alexander raised a very large family, and nearly all his
life lived in Monongahela City, and for the most part in the
house still standing on Railroad, near Fourth street.
Moses, the survivor for many years of the family of Thomas
Scott, being childless, was long a resident of Monongahela,
where he lived with his wife in ease and comfort.  He owned
at his death, which occurred March 5th, 1891, a part of the
old homestead on Mingo, not far from the spot where he first
saw the light of day.  He was one of the substantial elements
in the make-up of his adopted city, where he was held in high
esteem as a citizen and christian gentleman.
184The Old and lNew llononoaahela.
The Monongahela Repzblican of March 6, 1891, says:
MOSES SCOTT,
An aged and respected citizen of this city, died at his residence,
Third ward, Thursday evening, March 5, 1891, at 7 o'clock,
after a long illness.
Mr. Scott was born in the old Scott farm house on Mingo
creek, October 12, 1809, where he lived until 1850, when he
moved to Monongahela City.  During the year'55 he was
married to Rosanna McFarland, daughter of Colonel Joseph
McFarland, of Franklin county.  This branch of the Scott
family are intimately connected with the early history of Washington county, and are well known in this part of Western
Pennsylvania.
In'62 Moses Scott moved to Beaver, Ohio, but returned to
Monongahela City soon after the war was over.  Early in life
he was converted and became a member of the Milngo Presbyterian Church, and remained a steadfast Christian during all his
long life of 82 years. He was a member of the First Baptist
Church, this city, and died in that faith.
For five years Mr. Scott was Justice of the Peace for Third
ward. In politics he was formerly a strong Republican, but of
late years has been a Prohibitionist.  He carried on a mercantile business during one portion of his life in the store now
occupied by Keller Bros. but has lived a retired life during his
last days'.
Moses Scott was known to all our people.  He was raised in
the strictest Covenanter Presbyterianism; his lessons of frugality came to him from Ireland, and were his by birth and
training. This sometimes led him to a close economy, bordering on illiberality, and often misunderstood.
When one comes to sum up his rouuded character as it stands
finished, the verdict will be that Moses Scott lived up to the
Christian life as it was given him to see it, and that much of
the good that he did was hidden from the world by his owI1
185The Old and New  fononyahela.
peculiar way of looking at duty. To illustrate: years ago he
lifted a debt froin the Baptist church, saying, you pay the interest, and at my death I will provide for the principal.
Ilis funeral will take place on Saturday morning from  the
Baptist church.  And when he is laid to rest his epitaph can
well be written, "An honest, virtuous, God-fearing, intelligent
Bible reading, correct living man has gone to his reward."
HON. JAMES SCOTT.
He died at his home in Lebanon, Ohio, December 16, 1888.
His biography will be found among the-pr6ceedings of the Centennial at Monongahela City, November 15, 1892.
VAN VOORHIS FAMILY.
To Hon. T. G. Bergen we are indebted for the signification
of the Van Voorhis, formerly written Van Voorhies and Van
Voorhees, as we find it in his work, entitled "The history of
the Bergen family, with notes upon some of the branches of
the Voorhies and other Long Island families."   "Steven
Coerte Voorhies, who emigrated to this country from Holland
in 1630, was a son of Coert Alberts Voorhies, who resided in
front of the village of Hees, or Hies, in the Netherlands, the
word " Voor" meaning in English " in front of. " E. W. Var
Voorhis in his ancestry of W. R. Van Voorhis, after a search
by the St. James Heraldry office in London in 1872, obtained
a certificate, under seal of the office, containing a descriptior
of the coat of arms, which states "That the armorial bearing  
of the family consisted in a golden tower on a red shield,
quartered with a tree torn up by the roots, on a silver field.
The motto being " Virtus Casteltum Meum. "
Our knowledge biographical of the Van Voorhis family date.
back only to Cornelis Coerte Van Voorhees, of Flatlands, L
I., who was baptised January 23, 1678, and left, among othei
children, his son Daniel Van Voorhees, who was born a
Oyster Bay, L. I., December, 1701, and married Femmytt
1861~~~~4s
WSt rf;CcThle Old and New 2Jfononqgahela.
Bennett November 27, 1724.  She was born April 24, 1706.
Their children were: Elizabeth, born July 24, 1725; Cornelius, October 6, 1729; Femmyte, born January 16, 173-;
John, born June, 1735; DANIEL, born July 8, 1738; Antyte,
born October 14, 1741; Jerome, born April 8, 1743; and
Abraham, November 6, 1751. Daniel, born as above stated,
July 8, 1738, was the ancestor of the family in Western
Pennsylvania.  He was a seafaring man, following navigation
most of his life; he was master of several merchant ships of
which he was part owner. During the revolution he was taken
prisoner three different times by the British, and each time
suffering a total loss of his vessel. During an engagement one
time a stanchion of the vessel against which he was leaning
was carried away by a cannon ball. With two other captains
as prisoners, he was taken to some Spanish island for safe
keeping, from the dangers of which they escaped only to be
recaptured.  In 1764 Daniel was married to Mrs. Sarah Britt,
who was a daughter of Coerte Van Voorhees, of Fishkill, N. Y.
She died September 15, 1777. By this wife he had two
children, Samuel Newton and Sarah.  He married as his
second wife Mary Newton, July 12, 1780. We are. not informed just when Daniel left Long Island and settled in Rancocas Creek, New Jersey, twelve miles from Philadelphia, but
it was somewhere about 1780. By this second marriage were
born John, Daniel, Abraham and Mary. We have on a fly
leaf of a little history of New York, printed in London in
17.57, these words in his own handwriting:
"Moved my family out into the backwoods in the month of
October, in the year of our Lord 1786."
DANIEL VAN VOOlRHIs.
In 1785 he had been out himself and selected his new home.
He brought with him in 1786 his second wife and his children
born to her as above mentioned.
He located on the farm now owned by John VanVoorhis,
in Carroll township, Washington county, Pa., where his wife,
18711Te Old and New liffonongqaChela.
Mary N., died October 31, 1789, and hers was the first burial
in the VanVoorhis cemetery, his daughter, Mary, being the
second.  She was born at the new home January 30th, 1788,
and died* August llth, 1789.  Daniel first lived in the log
cabin east of the well known spring, where yet may be seen
traces of it. He occupied this cabin when he married, May
3d, 1791, his third wife, in the person of Nancy Myers, and
in it were born their two children, Elizabeth and Isaac.
Whilst Isaac was a mere youth the hewed log house was built
that stood above the cabin nearly on the spot where is now the
brick house of John VanVoorhis. Daniel died February 21st,
1819, in the homestead, and his wife, Nancy, died February
17th, 1840, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Samuel Frye.
Samuel N., son of Daniel, was born July 12th, 1774, on
Long Island, and was married to Sarah Myers June 22, 1800.
Their children were:
Daniel, born April 13th, 1801, in Duchess county, N. Y.
William R. was born May 25th, 1803, in Duchess county, N. Y.
Charles E. was born October  lth, 1809, in Duchess
county, N. Y.
Susan R. was born January 7th, 1812, in Washington
county, Pa.
Sarah Ann was born May, 1816, in Washington county, Pa.
Isaac was born March 1, 1821, in Crawford county, Ohio.
Harriett was born February 20th, 1826, in Crawford
county, Ohio.
Somewhere between the years 1809 and 1812, Samuel N.
left New York state with his family to seek a new home in
western Pennsylvania.  They traveled in a two-horse wagon,
rigged with yankee harness and other accoutrements, after the
style of that day.  They came direct to his father's, and in a
short time were domiciled in the old log house that stood near
the present entrance to VanVoorhis cemetery. He for a while
taught school in what was then known as Hair's school house.
After a not very long time he moved into a log house on the
Joel Butler farm, near the present Black Diamond Railroad
1883[The Old antd New -ononga/hela.
Station, above Monongahela City. Sometime prior to 1820 he
moved to Crawford county, Ohio, and located near where now
stands the city of Bucyrus, which was then considered on the
frontier of settlement.  They moved in a two-horse wagon
drawn by a stout yoke of oxen and one horse in the lead; took
with them one cow and calf. Here Samuel N. and his wife,
Sallie, spent the remnant of their days, and now lay side by
side in Whetstone cemetery, Samuel having died February
24th, 1857, and his wife September 20th, 1848.
Charles Edward, son of Samuel N., has long been a resident
of Knox county, Ohio, near the town of Bladensburg. He is
a farmer to some extent but has been mainly engaged in the
ministry connected with the Christian church. He was married
July 9, 1832, in Crawford county, Ohio, to Miss Susan Jones,
who was born January 28, 1813, and died September 17, 1870.
They had eleven children.
On June, 1884, nine were living, all married, and had children more or less in number, but in the aggregate the total is
forty-one.  His children are all farmers and doing well.
Charles E. married as a second wife Miss Ellen Fergeson, of
Columbiana county, Ohio, April 27, 1871. Of the renlaining
children of Samuel N. VanVoorhis we know little, excepting
that Isaac was a prominent politicion in Crawford county, Ohio,
being County Commissioner for at least one term, and was held
in high esteem by his fellow citizens.
Sarah, daughter of Daniel VanVoorhis, by his first wife, was
born August, 1777, and married her cousin, John VanVoorhis,
November 23, 1797, who was born August 2, 1768. He died
near Goshen, N. Y., May 2, 1848, and his wife November 17,
1859. Their children were:
Phcebe, born June 19, 1798, and died Septemnber 2, 1830.
Daniel, born January 15, 1800, died July 12, 1812.
Susan, born November 18, 1802, married Thomas Faulknler,
April 9, 1829.
Samuel N., born October 31, 1804, died August 3, 1826.
Sallie Ann, born October 14, 1806, died September 13, 1826.
William, born Jiune 1, 1809, died July 10, 1834.
189190           The Old and New Mononqahela.
Mary R., born July 7, 1811, married William B. Vail
AMay 29, 1833.
Emaline, born September 7, 1813, married Jeremiah R.
Williamson February 11, 1847.
Elizabeth, born July 31, 1815, died September 9, 1873.
She had married Albert Rockfellow December 30, 1835.
Jane, born April 11, 1818, married Charles S. Puff
January 6, 1841.
This was the condition of the family in 1881. Samuel R.
Williamson at that date had long been a resident of the vicinity
of New Brunswick, New Jersey, where, as far as we know,
the family still resides.
John, the oldest son of Daniel VanVoorhis by his second
wife, was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, March 3d,
1781. He was married to Sarah Frye about the year 1805.
He lived in a cabin near the VanVoorhis cemetery gate on the
Brownsville road, the spring alone from which he used water
remains to locate the spot.  He moved with his family to
Muskingum county, Ohio, in April, 1812.  He located on a
farm near the present town of Nashport, where he died June
28, 1874.  He and a man the name of Trout built a keel boat
at the mouth of Pigeon creek.  In it he moved the hleavier
articles, among which were five barrels of whiskey, seven
barrels of flour, two iron kettles, and a box filled with earth in
which were placed scions of current bushes, apple and other
fruit trees in embryo, together with a barrel of dried apples,
and farming implements. The family went overland with the
team.  The men pushed and floated the boat down the Ohio to
the mouth of the Muskingum, and thence up that river to
Zanesville, from which point the goods were taken by wagon
to Nashport, twelve miles distant.  That region was then a
wilderness of woodland, but John lived to see it blossom as the
rose.  John was a Baptist of the strictest kind in religion, and
of the old political school a federal, and of the new  a
republican.
To John and Sarah were born as children:Tlie Old and New _iononqahela.
Daniel, born in the log cabin above mentioned, November
25, 1806, and died June 3, 1893. The dates of the remaining
children we have not obtained, but their names are as follows:
Mary, Elizabeth, Theresa, Samuel, Sarah and Nancy. Daniel
was married to Jane Roberts, of Muskingum county, January
24, 1834. She died April 11, 1871. He was not only a
pioneer farmer but a successful merchant in the early days of
that region.  His thousands of acres and other sources of
wealth attest his energy and capacity for gaining a competency.
Against his own inclinations he was twice elected to the Ohio
Legislature and in that body was reckoned as one of the most
safe -and useful members. In later years he was elected a
member of the Constitutional Convention, where he did good
service in aiding to mould many of the wisest provisions in the
new Constitution.  He (1892) still lives, and for years has sojourned in the city of Zanesville, while he holds his voting
residence in Nashport, near his home.
Daniel and Jane had born to them seven children:
John, born July 23, 1836, and died from an accident in the
summer of 1882.  Of the dates of the birth of Victoria, Samuel,
Sarah A., Mary I., Zenas F. and Henry C., we have no knowledge.  Henry Clay is President of the Citizens' National Bank
of Zanesville, Ohio, and elected to Congress in 1892.
Zenas F. remains unmarried.
HON. DANIEL VAN VOORHIS.
We insert the following extract from the Zanesville TiiqnesRecorderi relative to the death of Hon. Daniel Van Voorhis:
He died June 3, 1893, at the residence of his son, Hon. H.
Clay Van Voorhis, in Zanesville, Ohio. He was born on the
original Van Voorhis homestead, in then Fallowfield but now
Carroll township, Washington county, Penn'a, November 25,
1806, and was moved by his father and mother, John and
Sarah Van Voorhis, to Muskingum county, Ohio, locating in a
log cabin near Nashport, Licking county, in April, 1812. His
father at the time of his death was the oldest inhabitant of Lick1916"2.T14he Old and New iMonongahela.
farms, anld even nlow small tracts are found not included, and
hence we have vacant land subject to entry by anyone who
will take legal means to obtain a title from the State. In those
days, sections, half sectioins and quarter sections were unknown
and even county and township lines were runl according to
circumstances.
WHISKY ANI STILLHOUSES.
The sale of grain of all kinds was very limited, and unless
made iiito whisky there was little demand for it. This was a staple
production.  A stillhouse for its manufacture was erected on
nearly every farm. The primitive stillhouse was always located
below some never-failing spring, from which cold water could
be taken by dugout troughs.  Cold water, then as now, was
essential to the distillery process.  The house was built of
round logs, with clapboard roof.  Two copper stills fixed in a
stone furnace constituted the capacity of the house on which
was based the license to distill, but sometires there were more
than two, as could be seen from the licenses.  In 1791 there
were 272 stills in Washington counlty. The whisky insurrection
in 1794 arose froin the imposition of an excessive tax upon distilled liquors, which affected Washington county especially. Resistance for a time to the law gave rise to a great deal of trouble,
the U. S. army having to be called into active duty before the insurgents submitted.  The whole thing was finally settled by
way of a compromise.  The use of spirits as a beverage in
olden timrte was a prevailinig custom.  Late as sixty years ago
it was considered a breacli of etiquette not to set out the bottle
when friends and even ministers called on a visit.  The greeinglass, long-necked quart bottle was kind of a household god.
It was present on nearly every occasion.  At weddings, cornhuskings, wood-choppings, log-rollings, flax-pullings, manure
frolics, sheep-washing, fish-gigging, house and barin raisings,
it was an essential element.
14T/he Old and New lJfononycahela.
ing township, and one of the oldest in the county.  He was
born in Burlington county, N. J., during the revolutionary war
and when five years of age moved with his parents to Washingtonl county, Pa., locating three miles west of Monongahela
City. In 1805, having two large crops of wheat for which
there was no home market, he had it ground, and building a
flatboat, he started on April 5 for New Orleans with a cargo of
flour. He disposed of part of it enroute for $8 a barrel and
finally arrived at his destination May 22, when he disposed of
the remainder of his flour and his boat, and after celebrating
the Fourth of July in the metropolis of the Louisiana Purchase,
he sailed to New York, reaching home August 28. He was
married to Sarah Fry December 12, 1805, and continued to
reside near the parental home until he came to IMuskingum
county with his family in 1812.
Daniel Van Voorhis was the oldest son, and soon after the
family's arrival at Nashport was started to school in a log
school house.  The children sat on seats made by splitting
round logs in two pieces, shaving the flat sides with a drawing
knife, and driving pins into auger holes for legs.  The house
had a puncheon floor and a large fire place in the end of the
building.  It was a subscription school, at $2.50 a scholar, the
attendance numbering about twenty-five. After taking advantage of these limited educational facilities, he worked on his
father's farm until he was about twenty-five years of age. The
Ohio canal had then been finished, and he boated on the canal
part of the summer of 1831.
He was not pleased with the canal business, and in the fall
of 1831 he concluded to open a general store at Nashport.
His father agreed that if he would hew the framing timber,
haul the logs and have the necessary lumber sawed, and quarry
the stone for the cellar wall, he would furnish the necessary
money for the erection of the building and would lend him all
the money he had-about $800.  The building was completed
on the 14th of the next April, and with $200 dollars of his own
and $800 borrowed from his father, he started on horseback
192The Old and New IliononJgahela.
the next morning for Washington county, Pa., where he
borrowed $500 more of an uncle, and went to Pittsburgh and
purchased a stock of goods.  They were shipped to this city
by water, and he had his store opened in May. In April,
1838, he associated with himself in the store at Nashport Mr.
Abel Randall. They continued their partnership until November, 1843, when they sold out to John W. Thompson.
Mr. Van Voorhis then went back to farming, purchasing a
large farm and managing it very successfully until April, 1877,
when he rented it and retired from its active management.
Since his retirement he has resided in this city, boarding at the
Kirk House for a number of years and for the past two years
making his home with his son, Congressman Van Voorhis.
In October, 1859, he was elected to the Ohio Legislature from
Muskingum  county, as a Republican, and served during the
sessions of 1860 and 1861.  He was a strong supporter of the
measures proposed in aid of the Government and voted for the
two million dollar bill to aid in putting down the rebellion.
In April, 1873, he was elected a member of the convention to
frame a new constitution for the State of Ohio, but the constitution framed by it failed of adoption by the people.
He was married to Miss Jane Roberts, daughter of John and
Barbara Roberts, of Falls township, January 24, 1834.  Seven
children were born to them, all of whom grew to mnanhood and
womanhood.  Six are still living, John having been accidleltly
killed at Nashport several years ago. Those still living are,
Mrs. T. M. Taylor and S. F. Van Voorhis, of Newark; Mrs.
J. G. Stump, of Dresden; Mrs. N. C. Fleming, of Hanover,
and Hon. H. C. and Fuller Van Voorhis, of this city.  His
wife, Mrs. Jane Roberts Van Voorhis, died April 11, 1871.
Two sisters are all of his father's family that survive him.
They are Mrs. Littleton Adams, of Madison township, and Mrs.
D. R. Cook, of Macon, Ga.
He was a consistent member of the Methodist church at
Nashport.  During his residence here he attended divine services at the Market Street Baptist Church.  He was a liberal
193The Old and New Wonongahela.
contributor to institutions for the dissemination of knowledge
and Christianity, among those aided very substantially by him
being the American Bible Society, Kenyon College, Ohio Wesleyan University and Denison University.
Mr. Van Voorhis was an example of the noblest work of God,
an honest man.  He was.honest in all the word implies..  He
was true to every trust and sincere in everything he did.  He
was a thorough business man, which, coupled with his tireless
energy and indomitable will power, resulted in bringing him a
competence for his old age. He was a inodel husband and
father and had the confidence and esteem of every one who
knew him.  He was a splendid example of the pioneer, who
had not only witnessed the transformation from the wilderness
to the lieighth of civilization, but has had a share in it all.
Mary, daughter of John Van Voorhis, married Abel Randal,
of the vicinity of Nashport.  They are both dead.
Theresa married John A. Blair, a prominent merchant and
politician of Zanesville.  Both are deceased.  Elizabeth rnmarried Samuel Adams, of Dresden, Ohio, and are deceased.
Samrnuel died in 1840, by the fall from a horse. Nancy married Littleton Adams of Dresden, and both are living. Sarah
A. married a man nanied Cook, and both are living and residents of Georgia.
Daniel, another son of Daniel Van Voorhis by his second
wife, was born in Burlington county, New Jersey, December
22d, 1783, and died at his home in Carroll township, Washington county, Pa., August 6th, 1852.  He married Mary
Frye November 19th, 1807, who was born February 9th, 1788,
and died May 4th, 1881.  They lived during all of their
married lives on the farm  now owned by James Sansomn in
Carroll township.  Daniel,was one of those red-blooded persons that generally are long lived, yet he died the earliest of
any of his brothers.  He was one of the pioneer cattle dealers
of Western Pennsylvania, and a man of distinguished integrity
and moral worth.  Uncle Danny, as he was fatmiliarly called,
had a large family of children, six of whom are living (1892).
194Tlte Old and New JAlononqahela.
Newton, who died April 2d, 1890, was named after his grandmother. Newton married Nancy Cooper, daughter of the late
Valentine Cooper and grand daughter of Frederick Cooper, the
older, who settled at the mouth of Maple creek, on the Monongahela river, in very early day.  Newton's oldest daughter,
Mary, married John Hill, both of whom are dead.
John Hill was the father of Joseph and Clinton Hill, now
residents of Florida.  Newton's daughter, Norcissa, married
Harvey Yant of Horseshoe, he died not long ago.  Julia
married Clinton Van Voorhis, one of the most successful
farmers in Carroll township.  Elgy married Belle Frye, and
lives in Kansas City, Mo.  Josiah was drowned many years
since in the Monongahela river, at Bellevernon ferry.  Samuel
married a Miss Adams, of Dresden, Ohio, whose mother was
a daughter of John Van Voorhis, as above stated.  Samuel
died December 12, 1888, at Kansas City, Mo., and left a wife
and two boys.  Jerome remains on the homestead near the
Witherow  blacksmith shop in Fallowfield townshlip.   The
daughter, Kate, married and moved west; and Nancy died
near Spearville, Kas., a few  years since.  Elgy, another
son of Uncle I)anny's, was born in  1810, and married
IHester Frye, daughter of Luke Frye.  After living for a time
in the stone house inear the present distillery of W. J. Markell
on Taylor's run, near Monongahela City, they removed to
Greene county, where he still lives in comfort and affluence.
ITis wife is deceased.
Abraham was born February 1, 1812; married Mary Carson,
now deceased.  They lived for many years on the farm now
owned by Robert Coulter, in Carroll township.  Ie removed
many years ago to Illinois, where he again married, and where
lie died June 14, 1886.
Isaac, John F., Jerome, Daniel and Harvey B. are the remaining sons of Daniel.
Isaac, in 1846, married a daughter of the late Thomas
Hopkins, of Pike run township, and now lives near Hillsborough, on the National Pike.  Ile is, perhaps, the largest
195196liee Old and iNew iozo)qnwahela,.
cattle dealer in Washington county. John F. married a Miss
McBeth, whose parents resided nlear the old log house close by
the present brick house of William Devore, near Monongahela
City. He resided for several years in the old part of the house
now ownled by Robert AMcKean, near Lock No. 4. After
changing bases at different times he finally settled at Spearsville, Kansas. Jerome married a daughter of the late Washington Cooper, and lived for a few years on the Uncle Danny
homestead, then moved to Iowa, where his wife died. He
still lives, having married a second wife.  Daniel, after wandering to California on horseback among the early golden emigrants, and prospecting in different other places, settled in
Illinois or Indiana, we are not sure in what State or what part,
and there died.  Harvey B. married a daughter of the late
John Hopkins, of Brownsville, Pa.  He farmed for a time on
the "Rogally " farin, near the present town of Finleyville;
then carried on the liquor business in Bridgeport, Pa.; then
leased for some years the Oakland Park, ott Fifth avenue,
Pittsburgh.  In the late war he was a major in the cavalry service in which he was severely wounded. After the war he
went west and located in Speareville, Kansas, where he still
resides.
Daniel had three daughters, Sarah, Christena and Mary.
Sarah married Samuel Cooper, of Mingo creek. They are both
dead.  Christena married West Frye, whose deatlh is noted
elsewhere.  His wife is also dead.  Mary married B. F.
Berntley, and are residents of Monongahela City.
Abraham, the remaining son of Daniel Van Voorhis, the
older, by his second wife, was born in Burlingtoil county, New
Jersey, December 28, 1785, and died on the primitive old
homestead December 4th, 1871.  He married Anii Watkins
May 11th, 1818, who died November 2d, 1828.  He married
as his second wife Jane Phillips November 27th, 1829, who
lives on the old homestead.
Abiahlam by his first wife had as children Garrett T., born
February 18th, 1819, married first time to HIester Frye, who
196The Old and New N-onongahela.
died March 20th, 1864.  He has always been a farmer and
stock dealer, and now resides on Pigeon creek not far from the
home of his youth. His second wife was Mary Jane Baxter,
and still lives. Joseph was born August 27th, 1820; died
November 17th, 1822, and was buried in the Van Voorhis
cemetery.
Robert was born July 21st, 1822, and married Caroline
Frye March 2d, 1848. She died December 18, 1885, and her
husband, Robert Van Voorhis, died January 26th, 1892, at
Fort Collins, Col.  The remains of both are in the Van
Voorhis cemetery.  Their only daughter, Clara, married the
Rev. R. B. Mansell, D. D. She died at McKeesport, Pa.
January 12th, 1890.  In 1887 Robert married as his second
wife Miss Jane Hoffman. Having sold his farm to Captain
M. Coulson he moved to Colorado.
Mary, the only daughter of Abraham by his first wife, was
born May 5th, 1826, and died of diptheria January 31, 1863.
She married Vincent Colvin April 6th, 1848, who died March
31st, 1876. Vincent was a soldier in the late war, and was
in the service when his wife died.  Shortly after her death he
was honorably discharged from the army by order of the
secretary of war.  By his second wife Abraham had children
as follows:
Eliza, born September 1st, 1830, married Thornton F.
Watkins April 12th, 1849, and died February 28th, 1850.
Thornton died January 2d, 1852, whilst on his way overland
to California.  They left their little boy, " Jimmy, " who died
whilst a youth, in the home of his grand parents, Van Voorhis.
Lucinda was born August 7th, 1832, and died of scarlet
fever June 24th, 1840.
John was born September 6th, 1835, married Josephine H.
Teeple September 15th, 1859, and lived until a few years ago
(1892) on the original Van Voorhis homestead, since that time
he has resided in Monongahela City, where he is a prominent
business man, but still owns the homestead where his son
Charles resides.
15
197Tlhe Old and New 1ionongahela.
Emaline, born February 28th, 1838, married to Joseph
Brown. They lived for many years on the Cunningham farm,
a short distance from Fayette City, Pa.  He now (1892) lives
in ease and comfort on a farin in Marion county, Kas.'Caroline, born November 1st, 1840, married May 29th,
1862, to James Jones, who died June 25th, 1877.  She now
resides' with her children in a comfortable home near Ginger
Hill.
Serenia Ann, born July 2d, 1843, died March 23d, 1861.
The last of the children born to Abraham and Jane Van
Voorhis was Cynthia, who was born January 16th, 1848,
married October 15th, 1868, Cooper Bentley, who died July
12th, 1880. Cynthia married a man the name of Snyder as
her second husband.  They live in their nice residence on the
pike, near Valley Inn, about two miles from Monongahela
City.
Aunt Jane, as she is familiarly called, relict of Abraham
Van Voorhis, still lives and resides on the old homestead in a
house not far below where stood the primitive cabin.  She is
hale and hearty, full of vivacity, and wonderfully devoted to
her children.  She has for a long life time been a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has listened to the
preaching of the Gospel in the "church on the river bank"
before many now in active duty were born. Long may she
live to enjoy the love of her children, and to reap in her
declining years much of the sweets of that religion she professed in early life.
By his third wife Daniel Van Voorhis had a daughter,
Elizabeth, and a son, Isaac. Elizabeth was born in the primitive log cabin on the old homestead December 19th, 1792, and
died August 18th, 1875.   She married the late Samuel Frye,
who died many years prior to the death of his wife, in the old
log house that stood near the present brick house on the farm
now owned by William Rogers in Fallowfield township.
198The Old and New iWonongahela.
ISAAC VAN VOORHIS
Was born in the log cabin already spoken of, on the old homestead, March 15, 1794.  He attended his first school in an old
log house that stood near Witherow's blacksmith shop, in Fallowfield. The school was taught by an Irishman whose name
we have forgotten.  His common mode of punishment consisted in putting the unruly scholars up the huge chiinney and
giving them thereby a good smoking. The older Colvins,.McComases, Witherows, Blythes,, Powers, Moodys were scholars
in this primitive school.  Isaac was married to Mary Hair by
Rev. Samuel Ralston, May 13, 1819.  They were married in
the old log house, parts of which are still standing on the Hair
farm, now owned by Willialms brothers. He took his bride on
horseback the next day to his home, where the plays and romping took place in good old style beneath the shade of the wide
spreading sugar tree that stood below the house.  They lived
in this home until April 1, 1834, when they removed to the
McFarland farm, now owned by his sons, Dr. J. S. and Clinton
Van Voorhis, where he died June 4, 1875, and his wife died
April 14, 1876. She was born March 10, 1797, near Gerardstown, West Va., and came to Washington county with her
father and other members of the family in 1806.
Isaac Van Voorhis was ordained an elder in the Presbyterian
church of Williamsport, now Monongahela City, February 12,
1836. He was a Presbyterian in the truest sense of the word,
believing that the doctrines and usages of that church were
founded upoin the rock, Christ, as taught in the scriptures. He
was among the first flatboat builders at the mouth of Pigeon
creek.  By means of these crafts hay and other farm products
were taken to the Pittsburgh market.  In one instance he
hauled his produce to the river and had it shipped in a keelboat
belonging to some other party, whilst he rode on horseback
overland to the city, and returned the same day, the net proceeds of the sale aggregating six dollars and seventy-five cents,
not much more than a coal mliner now earns in a day. He
199The Old an.d New iJfvoiogahela.
often remarked in his latter days that people " now-a-days
hardly had an idea what labor it required to earn a living in
early days. " He was a great friend of education, having aided,
outside of his own family, at least two young men through
college, one of whom was during his day on earth a distinguished minister of the gospel.  He was one of the first
Board of School Directors in his native township after the
adoption of the Public School law in 1834. He was one of the
original stockholders and for many years a member of the
Board of Managers of the Washington and Williamsport Turnpike Company, serving in that capacity with Col. Joseph Barr,
Samuel Hill and James Manown.  He was born amidst the
scenes of the Whiskey Insurrection and was about six months
old at- the time the great mass meeting was held at Parkison's
Ferry, now Monongahela City, over which Col. Edward Cook
presided, and Albert Gallatin acted as secretary.
His father had been a resident of Pigeon Creek for nine
years, and on the 29th day of November, 1794, took the oath
of allegiance, with many others, before Samuel De Pue, and
the old gentleman being frequently waited on by the insurgents to ascertain his views, was always prompt to give the
same reply: " If a few of you want to resist the power of
the government, go ahead, for my part I have seen enough of
that in my past life."  Isaac Van Voorhis in politics was a
Federalist, and as such cast his first vote for President in 1816
for Rufus King; in 1820-24-28 for John Q. Adams; in 1832
he voted for Henry Clay, who was the National Republican
candidate.  In 1836 and 1840 he voted for Gen. W. H. Harrison, the Whig candidate. In 1844 he voted for Henry Clay,
and in 1848 for Gen. Taylor; in 1852 for Gen. Scott.  In
1856, and up to his death, he voted for the Republican candidates.
He never belonged to any secret orders or other society than
the church, which he considered amply sufficient for purposes
intended for man's welfare on earth, or his spiritual preparation for the great hereafter.  The Pittsburgh Gazette of June
200Th/e Old and New Jiononogahela.
5, 1875, in speaking of the death of Isaac Van Voorhis, said:
" Mr. Isaac Van Voorhis, an old, well known and respected
citizen of Carroll township, Washington county, near Monongahela City, died on Friday morning, June 4, 1875, in the
82nd year of his age.  From particulars furnished by a correspoindent we learn that he was born on the 15th day of March,
1794, within two miles of the place where he died. He resided
for forty years on the old homestead bequeathed to him by his
father, and forty-one years on the farm where the declining
years of his life were spent. His grandfather was one of
three brothers, one of whom was killed by a poisoned arrow
shot by an Indian.  From Cornelius, the name of one of these
brothers, the deceased was a lineal descendent.  Daniel, the
son of Cornelius. was the grandfather of the deceased.  He
was born at Oyster Bay, Long Island, December 17th, 1708,
where also Daniel, father of the deceased, was born July 8th,
1738. Daniel for a time lived in New Jersey, but in October,
1786, he removed to the farm on which the subject of this
sketch was born.
Mr. Van Voorhis was a subscriber to the Weekly Gazette
for over sixty years, and during his life read over 3,000 copies
of it, always depending on it for its political and general news
and market reports.  His father had taken the Gazette from
its foundation in 1786.  The deceased had always been identified with the whig and republican parties.  He, with Robert
McFarland, were the only persons in what was then Fallowfield township, Washington county, who voted for John Q.
Adams, in 1824, for president.  He,never had any faith in, or
trusted the democratic party, and during his long life of over
four-score years he never sought anl office. For over fifty
years he had been a member of the Presbyterian church, and
a ruling elder for more than forty years. He was an exemplary christian, and his early training in the teachings and
doctrines of the Bible enabled him in his last illness to draw
from it that spiritual consolation which, in the hour of death,
the Christian alone cail value.
201_Tiw Old an~td  ewv ifoinonaalela.        15
HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
[Historical address delivered by J. S. Van Voorhis, M. D. at the dedication,of the
new school house in Monongtahela City, Pa., July 1, 1881, together with a letter
from Prof. Geo. P. Fulton.]
The history of Education in this vicinity, in common with
other matters of local interest, is shrouded in uncertainty, only
a few  vague and general items being preserved.  Looking
upon our ancestors from  a present standpoint, they appear to
have lived merely for their day only, caring little for the wants
and desires of the future.  They were content when satisfied
that they and their offspring had whereof to eat, drink and
wherewithal to'be clothed.  In fact, their immediate necessities
were so urgent as to call for the greater part of their time in
efforts secure for thein what was termed in those days "a
living."  Faith in the precepts of the Bible in its truest vetrsion
was innate to the first, settlers of our valley; the strongest
Puritanical ideas being the literature upon which they founded
their hlopes of the future, never doubting that time and labor
would in the end verify the prophetic saying, " The wilderness
anld the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert
shall rejoice and blossom as the rose."   Un.til about the close
of the last century individual culture consisted chiefly in leariling to farnm in the most primitive manner, which included a
very limited kinowledge of the art of raising grain and the
manufacture of hoine-made clothing.  The favored few, who
were privileged to literary attainmemit, were in full proportion
at reaching the point of reading, writing and ciphering to the
Single Rule of Three.  I-louses erected especially for school
pulrposes were unknown.  If, perchance, some itinerant individual, representing himself to be a schoolmaster, should happen along, an impromptu school house was obtained in the
shape of some log cabin vacated by the tenant as unfit to occupy.   The predecessor of the Parkisons, whose namle we
have mislaid, on his arrival found the site on which this rapidly
growing city is located to be a dense forest of sugar and walnut
trees, untouched by the hand of art or science.  Cotemporary
1152'he Old and leew  olonongahela.
In a notice of his death in the Presbyterian Bannei, Rev.
Dr. W. O. Campbell, pastor of the Presbyterian church of
Monongahela City, says:  "The deceased was perhaps the
oldest inhabitant in Carroll township, havifig lived in it all his
life.  He was married the 13th of May, 1819, to Mary Hair,
daughter of James hair, one of the first ruling elders of the
church in Monongahela City. He leaves his wife and seven
children to mourn his loss. He was admitted to the church in
early life under the ministry of Dr. Ralston; since that time
he has been a faithful and consistent Christian. He was
ordained elder in the church of Monongahela City February
12th, 1836, and held that office 39 years. Officially he was
the sole surviving representative of the early history of that
church. He was a devout man of God, full of faith and the
Holy Ghost, ripe in Christian experience and character.  He
was a steadfast believer in the Bible doctrines, as in our
standards. He was not only beloved in his family but honored
for his Christian consistency; his children leaned upon his
prayers.  He was not only honored in the community but beloved for his Christian charity. He was loved honored and
trusted by the church as a member and officer. As a ruler he
was prudent; in council cautious, but decided in action, charitable and conciliatory-a man of peace, yet true and firm in
maintaining the interests of Zion. He was one of the worthy
band of elders whom God pleased to give to this church in its
early history, and was peculiarly respected because their worthy
representative. For some years past he was seldom permitted
to meet with the session; and was often, on account of his increasing infirmities, necessarily absent from  public worship.
He greatly regretted the deprivation, and had a constant
interest in the affairs of God's house.
About one year previous to his death he had a severe illness
which he, as well as others, thought would be his last. He
was most happy in the prospect of death.  His great desire
was to depart and be with Christ.  The writer has not seen a
more happy Christian experience than this was at that time.
202The Old acnd New i-oqnongahela.
But God had something more for him to do. He was spared
another year.  During his last sickness he suffered great pain
but had constant peace of mind.  His faith did not for a
moment forsake him. He knew by experience that God would
not forsake him. At this time he did not forget the spiritual
interests of his family or the church.  He still preferred Jerusalemn above his chief joy.  His advice to his childr' was,
"Trust in the Lord, he has not forsaken me, he will Vt forsake you."  When he was told that all would soon be over,
he said, "Bless the Lord, Oh my soul."
On Sabbath, June 6, 1875, attended by a large concourse of
people, from the house where he had lived forty years, we bore
his remains to the tomb. I"B lessed are the dead which die in the
Lord, from henceforth: yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest
from their labors, and their works do follow them."
The Monongahela RepubUlican in speaking of his death, says:
Mr. Isaac Van Voorhis, whose death we noticed two weeks
since, was born on the farm now owned by John Van Voorhis,
on the 15th day of March, 1794. He was the son of Captain
Daniel Van Voorhis, who was born on Long Island, July 7,
1738, and was in the prime of life during the days of the Revolution.  He was an accomplished scholar, and especially versed
in the science of navigation, as his books now in existence at
the old homestead fully show. Captain Van Voorhis followed
the sea as captain of a merchant vessel for many years, and
during the Revolution was taken prisoner three times by the
British-twice having lost his vessel and cargo.  At one time,
being hard chased by a man-of-war, he raised the signal of surrender, but before it was recognized by the enemy, a cannon
ball carried away the post against which he was leaning.
At one time he, with several others, were banished to an island,
from which they escaped only to be re-captured, though shortly
afterwards released. He was married three times. His first
wife was originally a Van Voorhis, but was the widow Brett
when he married her; they had two children. Samuel for a
time was a merchant in New York State, but in the beginning
203The Old and New JMonongahela.
of this century removed to this country, and for a short time
lived in a cabin near the present Black Diamond Coal Works
He afterwards immigrated to Crawford county, Ohio, where he
died a few years since. Samuel's sister, Sarah, lived and died
near Goshen, N. Y., in the 82nd year of her age. Captain Van
Voorhis, prior to his coming to this country, resided some years
on Rmcocas creek, New Jersey, and in October, 1786, came
with  is family and purchased from a man named Decker 600
acres of land, now owned hy John Van Voorhis and James
Sampson.  It was then a wilderness but now the garden spot
in Carroll. He, with his two wives and three sons, sleep in
the beautiful burying ground, selected by himself, overlooking
Pigeon creek, for his remains and his kindred long before his
death. Four generations of that name are now in that cemetery, incorporated and made perpetual by the laws of the land.
Mr. Isaac Van Voorhis was the oldest resident in Carroll, having resided in it all his life. Cotemporary with him in the early
history of this neighborhood were the Colvins, the Powers,
McCombs, Hairs, Randolphs, Fryes, Depews, McGrews, Parkisons, Irwins, Rices, Beckets, c. He was married to Mary
Hair by the Rev. Dr. Ralston on the 13th day of May, 1819.
They lived together a little over 56 years.
He always took a deep interest in our town. He, with his
brothers, built the first keelboats at the mouth of the creek,
just at the close of the war of 1812.  He built the first coalboat, loaded with coal at Williamsport wharf, which was then
at the old red house at the mouth of what is now called First
street.  The boat was twelve feet wide and forty feet long. It
was filled with coal by the late Edward Kearney by hauling it
with a one-horse cart from the old coal bank in Catsburg.  It
was sold to a returned horse drover for cash received from the
sale of horses, and after his departure was never heard from.
In those days it was necessary to have such crafts in order to
get the produce of the farm to market, and even then the price
of grain scarcely justified transportation.
He was in early times a federalist; in the days of Ritner, a
204[Eke Old and NVew iMonongahela.
strong anti-Mason; afterwards a whig; and finally a republican. He, with Robert McFarland, were the only persons in
Fallowfield township who voted for John Q. Adams at the
time he was elected president.  He was a subscriber to the
Weekly Gazette for over 60 years, and was said to be the
oldest continuous subscriber the Gazette ever had.  He was a
Presbyterian by birth and profession for over 50 years, and
was a ruling elder for 40 years.  Ordained in 1836, he served
in the session with Jesse Martin, James Gordon, James
McGrew, Aaron Kerr, James Dickey, Henry Fulton, Joseph
Kiddoo and John Power, all of whom had preceded him to the
church on high, except John Power.  He first attended Presbyterian church at the old horseshoe building, situate on the
farm now owned by John Wilson, and in that old church yard
are still to be seen evidences of the resting place of nearly all
the first settlers of this country for many miles around.  On
the removal of the place of preaching to this city, he worshipped
with his father-in-law, elder James Hair, and a few others in
the old log school house near the old Presbyterian church on
Coal street and Church alley. He contributed liberally toward
the erection of the old brick church on the hill, also for the
church building at the foot of the hill, and more recently aided
in building the present beautiful church on Main below Sixth
street. Thus in his life he gave of his substance for three
church buildings of the same congregation, a no common affair
in one life time. He lived on the farm on which he was born
40 years, and 41 years on the farm where he died.
He leaves behind his wife, seven children, 25 grand children
and three great grand children. All his children survive him
except Daniel, who died in 1848.
We need not say he died a christian, the world knew he was
a christian, for it was as an humble follower of Christ his character shown the brightest.  As the end drew nigh his faith and
trust in a crucified Redeemer grew stronger and his hold on the
merits and righteousness of Christ more firm. Although suffering intense pain, he never murmured, and with a halo.of glory
205l0The Old and New iMononqgahela.
on his countenance he entered within the portals of the
celestial city.
Mary H., wife of Isaac Van Voorhis, died at the homestead
near Monongahela City April 14th, 1876.  The Monongahela
Repub,ican, in a notice of her death, says:
"The deceased was born in Berkely county, Virginia, now
West Virginia, on the 10th day of March, 1797.  She came
to this county with her parents, James and Rebecca Hair, in
the year 1806.  Her parents, not long after their arrival,
settled on what was known then as the Platter farm, but afterwards was well known as the Hair farm, on Pigeon creek.
Her father was the first ruling elder elected in the Presbyterian
church in this city, which election occurred soon after the removal of the church organization from Horseshoe, in what
year we are not able to say. The deceased had six brothers,
John, James, Samuel, Gilbert M., Uriah, and B. W. Hair.
John died, in 1856 or thereabout, in Mount Union, Ohio. She
had four sisters, Mrs. Martha Crouch, who died a few years
since in the west; Mrs. Kela Baker, who died on the old Hair
farm many years ago; Mrs. Eliza Potter, deceased in Allegheny
City many years since; and Mrs. Louisa Brinton, who died
years ago near Brownsville, Pa.  She with her husband
united with the Presbyterian church under the ministry
of Rev. Dr. Ralston, and each were members of that church
over fifty years.  Being in full possession of her mental
faculties to the last, she freely conversed on her prospects of
Heaven; and, relying entirely on the blood of Christ, she was
enabled to declare that death had no terrors.  Thus in less
than a year have passed within the portals of Heaventwo Christian parents, leaving behind a large circle of friends
to mourn their loss.'Blessed are the dead who die in the
Lord.'"
Another paper, in speaking of her death, remarks:  "She
was a woman of true piety, conscious of her union with Christ,
steadfast in her faith, not afraid to die, her trust was in Jesus.
A faithful wife and mother, a true friend, a devoted Christian
206The Old and New Mononqgahela.         207
disciple; they who mourn for her mourn not as those who
have no hope. "
Isaac and Mary had eight children, all born on the old Van
Voorhis homestead. Daniel was born March 15th, 1820. He
was for awhile a student in Washington College; made a special
study of surveying, which he practiced as a part of his business.
He was a large full-blooded specimen of the Holland race, and
possessed a mind of no ordinary caste. He was said to be
more the image of his grandfather, Captain Van Voorhis,
than any of the name in this country. He was a member of
the original Ringold Cavalry and had rather a taste for military
life. In August, 1844, he married Martha Houlsworth, of the
vicinity of Jefferson, Green county, Pa. He lived and died in
the house now owned by Nathan Wylie's heirs, near the homestead.  He died March 12th, 1848.  His daughter, Mary
Ruth, married a Mr. Smalley, formerly of Waynesburg, Pa.,
but now a successful farmer in the west. His daughter, Theresa
Jane, born shortly after his death, died when a small child.
His widow married Elijah Adams, at one time sheriff of Greene
county, Pa. He died a few years since, leaving Martha once
more a widow, who made her home in the west with her
children in Kansas, where she died in 1888.  Daniel was an
active member of the Presbyterian church, being converted
under the ministry of Rev. John Kerr after hearing a sermon
based on the "Barren Fig Tree."  His remains are in the
Van Voorhis cemetery. Nancy and James were the twin
children of Isaac Van Voorhis.  Nancy was born on the 19th
and James on the 21st day of August, 1821.
Nancy was married to John Pollock by the Rev. W. F.
Hamilton, January lst, 1857. They lived in Monongahela
City during the time he was connected with his uncle, Joseph
Kiddoo, in the planing mill, which was burned in the latter
part of 1856. Whilst residing here the little girl, Mary Jane,
died. He operated for a time the flouring mill on Pigeon
creek, now torn away, but for many years has resided on the
Pollock homestead in ITnion township.  Of their children,The Old and New iXononqahela.
Mary Jane, Coralinn, Belle and James preceded their mother
to the better land.  Isaac and Willie alone remain.  Nancy
died July 9th, 1884, at the Pollock homestead. Her pastor,
Rev. J. F. Patterson, in a communication to the Presbyterian
Ban~ner, speaks thus of her death:  "Mrs. Pollock was born
August 19th, 1821. She was the eldest daughter of Isaac and
Mary H. Van Voorhis.  Her early life was spent near
the  place  of  her  birth.   In  January, 1843,  in  a
precious work of grace under the ministry of Rev. John
Kerr, she gave her heart to the Lord and united with the
Presbyterian church of Monongahela City.  A  few  years
after her marriage she moved into the bounds of the
church of Mingo, with the membership of which she connected
herself, remaining here a devoted follower of the Master until
she joined the church above.  Her conversion was a thorough
onle. In that good time when the spirit came to her the door
of her heart was thrown wide open, and the Savior who came
in was given entire possession.  There in that first unreserved
consecration to Christ was the basis of her consecrated life.
She loved her Savior, and loving him she lived to do his willHe was the alpha and the omega of her life; her all in all. " And
so it was always the chiefest joy of her life just to follow him.
Her Bible was her daily companion. She seemed to live iu
the atmosphere of prayer and meditation upon God's word.
She loved the courts of God's house, and her place in the
sanctuary was seldom vacant, though living several miles
away.  In the darkest trials of her life, when her heart was
almost broken, and in the severe sufferings of her last sickness,
her religion was her solace and her support. She lived and
died leaning on the bosom of her Savior, and death to her
was only life. Yes, she is gone, and we feel her loss. In the
home, in the church, and in the community where she lived,
she is missed. But we sorrow not as those who have no hope,
knowing that our loss is only her eternal gain.
James Hair Van Voorhis, twin brother of Nancy Pollock,
was given by his father, in his earlier days, the farm  now
208The Old and New Jiononogahela.
owned by William Devore, in Carroll township. August,
1846, he married Polly Smith, granddaughter of the late Dr.
B. B. Smith, of the Forks, and also on the mother's side
granddaughter of the Hon. George Plumer, long a member of
Congress from  Westmoreland county.  After the death of
Amzi Smith, her first husband, Polly's mother married Henry
Fulton, at whose residence-the stone house in which Greer
McElvain now lives, in Carroll-James and Polly were married
by the Rev. John Kerr. Polly died July 29, 1848, leaving no
children.  James' second wife was Martha Dawsonl, of the
vicinity of Springfield, Illinois. She died in the early fifties
and was buried aside of the first wife in the Van Voorhis
cemetery.  She left no children.
James' third wife was a daughter of the late David Wilson,
of Elizabeth, now Forward township, Allegheny county.  He
had by this wife several children, of whom Mary Lucinda,
R. Finley, Grace and Anna are living, whilst Ellen, Marcie
and Willie died within a few days of each other, and are buried
in the Van Voorhis cemetery. James H. sold his farm to Win.
Devore and moved into Monongahela City about the year 1870
or'71. IHe built the fine brick house on Main street, now
owned by Mrs. Nathan Cleaver. In April, 1876, James, with
his family, moved to Colorado Springs, in the state of Colorado,
where he engaged in wool growing and silver mining.  He now
is a resident of North Dakota, near Cooperstown, Griggs
county, where he is engaged in farming.  His daughter Mary
Lucinda married James A. Loughirey, of Indiana, Pa., March
22, 1887.  They reside in Indiana, Pa.  Grace married
Beecher Cox, of Sanburn, North Dakota, where they now
reside.  James was for many years connected with the Presbyterian Church of Monongahela City, of which he was
ordained an Elder January 21, 1872.
Rebecca, another daughter of Isaac Van Voorhis, was born
Jan. 28, 1825, and married T. B. Stewart, as his second wife, and
is at this time a resident of Speareville, Kansas. Martha Jane remained at the homestead until the death of her parents.  She
209The Old and New VXonongahela.
never married and now resides in Monongahela City. Theresa
married Thomas B. Stewart, of West Virginfia, in 1854, and died
February 16, 1876, in Union township, Washington county, Pa.,
only a short distance from the place of her birth.  She was a
devoted christian, having been a member of the Presbyterian
Church from her early youth. She left a large family of
children, all of whom are residents of Kansas, except James
T., who married Vivia, Patterson, and died in Mionongahela
City, March 19, 1885, and was buried in the Van Voorhis
cemetery. The Daily ]Republican thus speaks of his death:
" The news of the death of the junior partnier of Patterson 
Stewart, which met our citizens this morning at the breakfast
table, was sad news indeed. He was in health till Monday,
the 9th, when he was attacked with typhoid fever. Reports
of his condition from time to time, and especially in the last
few days, had been discouraging, but it was hoped his constitution would enable him to pass the critical point at the turn of
the fever.  He died at fifteen minutes past one on Wednesday
night. James T. Stewart was a young man of fine promise,
active in business, and in social intercourse one of the most
genial companions.  He was a member of the Presbyterian
Church and Librarian of the Sabbath school.
David, her oldest son, graduated at Washington-Jefferson
College, and at the Western Theological Seminary, and is now
a successful minister of the Gospel in Kansas.  He is married
and has several children.  Clinton, the youngest son of Isaac
and Mary 11. Van Voorhis, married Septemnber 26, 1854,
Julia Ann, daughter or Newton Van Voorliis, of Fallowfield.
They reside on part of the old home farm, where he is regarded
as one of the most successful farmers and cattle dealers in the
eastern end of Washington county.  His son Newton is married and now (1892) in business in Monongahela City, Pa.
Albert has his home with his father.  Willie and Nannie,
darling children, passed away in childhood.  His six girls are
all at home at this date, 1892.
The remaining son of Isaac Van Voorhis, John S., was
210The Old and New Aionongahela.
born in the old hewed log house that stood where now is
the residence of John Van Voorhis, on the 8th day of May,
1823. John was a pupil in the old Colhoun school, but always
declared that he got his first ideas of education from the late
R. F. Cooper, Esq., who for several years was his teacher in
the school near the toll-gate on the pike.  He was always
an admirer of Cooper's talents, and expressed strong regrets
at his early removal by death.
John began his college education in November, 1840, with
Prof. J P. Thompson in the old carriage factory on Main street,
Monongahela City. The recitations were held in the eastern
room, upstairs, in which the Carroll Gazette was first printed,
giving thus the place its first literary caste.
After the death of Prof. Thompson, John recited to John
McFarland in the Ira Butler house, opposite the paper mill in
Catsburg.  He entered the sophomrore class in Washington
College in November, 1841, and'graduated'in 1844, dividing
the first honor of the class with B. W. Allen and D. C. Reed.
He entered the office of the late Dr. R. F. Biddle, of Monongahela City, October 9th, 1844.  N. A. Adams, J. H.
Connelly and A. B. Hill were fellow students in the office.
They have all passed away. He graduated at the Jefferson
Medical College March 25th, 1847, and settled in Bellevernon,
Fayette county, May 25th, 1847. He was married by the Rev.
John Kerr to Miss Betsy Plumer Smith September 7th, 1847,
at tile residence of her step father, Henry Fulton, in the house
in Monongahela City now owned by the heirs of Richard
Stockdale, deceased.  On the 22nd of the same month and year
the doctor and his wife set up house-keeping in the brick house
on the corner of Main and Second street, in Bellevernon, Pa.
They had two children, Lizzie and Isaac S.  Lizzie graduated
at Washington Female Seminary in the class of 1866, and during her seminary career she united with the Presbyterian church
under the ministrations of the Rev. James I. Brownson, I). D.
She was married to J. C. Cunningham  by the Rev. L. Y.
Graham, March 30th, 1871.  She was born June 30th, 1848,
2111I e Old andv NYw licqfon,oghcatela.
with this settlement, was the region around the old Horse Shoe
Bottom meeting-house filled with immigrants.  Here the older
Powers, Moodys, Colvins, McComas, Witherows, Rices, Fryes,
c., founded their homes.  This church, erected at the close
of the revolution, was the first in this region, and its organization gave at once new life and vigor to the settlers, and its
force of character culminated in awakirng a desire for more than
a homespun education.  The influence of that congregation
rapidly grew into such magnitude as to make it a centre of a
higher state of civilization.  Its power attracted the immigrant
on-his way thitherward in Ihis search for a nlew home, which
was found by many in the circle of country of which the church
was the centre.  So rapidly was this region taken up by
new-comers that it for a time overshadowed the river settlements.  From all informationi we can gather, it is evident that
the first school at which settlers of this city attended, was.located in an old log house that stood near where John Witherow's blacksmith shop now stands, and is supposed to have
been the original residence of the older McComas.  To add
more to this influence, on the 19th day of October, 1796, Mr.
Samuel Ralston, a licentiate from the Presbytery of New Castle,
was called to preach to this congregation.  He was a foreigner
by birth and education.  He was a man nlot only filled with
the Holy Ghost, but he was adorned with the highest literary
attainments found in the old world.  In his every day life he
exemplified the value of education, and impressed the minds
of his people that it followed hand in hand with religion.  The
good of his teachings soon cropped out in the establishment of
other schools.  During the winter seasons another school was
opened in the vicinity of the residence of the late Duttoni
Shannon, another at Parkison's Ferry, in an old log house of
primitive style  by this we mean of unhewn logs.  It was a
dwelling once, used as such, situate in a grove of sugar trees
on the lot on which stands the residence of Michael Yohe, near
the old Presbyterian Church, not far from the lot on which
this beautiful house has been erected.  Shades of the departed!
16i,The Old and New Mononqahela.
and died November 26th, 1877, in Bellevernon, the town of
her birth.  She left her husband and little Bettie, a darling
child, to mourn her death. Bettie is now (1892) a graduate of
the Pennsylvania College for Women, of Pittsburgh, Pa. Her
mother was a devoted christian and worker in the church. At
her death she was a member of Rehoboth, the church of her
parents, grand parents and great grand parents on her mother's
side of the family. In the graveyard of that old church can be
seen, near the main entrance, a beautiful marble slab, standing
on a double marble base, surrounded with flowers of almost
endless variety, bearing the inscription "Lizzie Van Voorhis,
wife of J. C. Cunningham, born June 30th, 1848, died
November 26th, 1877."
"But if around my place of sleep,
The friends I love should come to weep;
Soft airs and song and light and bloom,
Should keep them lingering by my tomb."
And on the marble base of the slab is inscribed:
I will behold thy face in rightousness.
I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness."
DEATH OF MRS. JAMES H. VAN VOORHIS.
[From the Griggs Courier.]
Died at her late residence, near Cooperstown, Griggs county,
North Dakota, August 29th, 1893, Martha J., wife of James
H. Van Voorhis, aged 59 years and three days.
Weary and worn with long and painful battling with disease,
the common foe of mankinld, Mrs. Martha Van Voorhis "fell
asleep " Tuesday at mid-day in her home west of town.   For
a number of days she has been unconscious, and apparently
making her way slowly but surely through the " Shadow of the
Valley of Death." When at length the end came, the spirit
stole out of its clay house as silently as a mother from her
babe's crib when he falls asleep.  Mrs. Van Voorhis had been
suffering from a complication of trouble since last spring, and
especially from  a stomach difficulty which has been before a
212'Th1e Old and New XLoongonahela.           213
source of perplexity.  Some two months aild a half ago she
met with a stroke of paralysis which affected her entire left
side.  It was thought then that she would not live but a few
days, but she has lingered along all these weeks, a great trial
to herself and those about her.
Mrs. Van Voorhis was born in Allegheny county, Pa., 59
years ago last Saturday.  For the past 11 years she has lived
in North Dakota.  She came into this state, together with her
fanlily, from Colorado, and was well established in a pleasant
home when this last sickness came upon her.  WheIl a young
womian she confessed her faith in Christ, and at the time of her
death was a member in the Congregational Church of this city.
Mrs. Van Voorhis and her husband have always been highly
esteemed by the community which is pained to hear of her
death.  She leaves, together with her husband, four children,
two married daughters, Mrs. J. A. Loughry, of Indiana, Pa.,
and Mrs. A. B. Cox, of Sanborn, and an unmarried son and
daughter at home.  Mrs. McCord, a sister from  Zanesville,
Ohio, was with her when she died, having come here a short
time ago.
The funeral was conducted by the Rev. O. P. Champlin,
from her late residence, on Thursday afternoon, and the remains were interred in the Cooperstown cemetery. The family
has the sympathy of the entire community.
MRS. LIZZIE VAN VOORHIS CUNNINGHAM.
[We insert the following tribute to her memory from the Presbyteria-n Banner.]
IN MEMORIAM--InII Bellevernon, Pa., om  Monday morning,
November 26th, 1877, Mrs. Lizzie Van Voorhis Cunningham
fell asleep in Jesus.
She was the only daughter of Doctor J. S. and Elizabeth P.
Van Voorhis, and wife of J. C. Cunningham.  She was born
in Bellevernon, Junq830th, 1848; united with the Presbyterian
church of Washington, Pa., under the mIinistrations of Rev. J.
I. Brownson, D. D., in 1866, whilst a pupil in the Female' 161The Old and Necv Xonongalhela.
Seminary of that place, from which institution she graduated
in the same year.  Upon leaving school she transferred her
connection to Rehoboth church in which connection she died.
To those who knew her best, her life from the time of her
Christian profession gave evidence that she was a true member
of the great Church Invisible, one of those whose names are
written in heaven.
But it was when the Great Refiner cast her into the furnace
that the pure gold of her Christian character shown with surpassing luster. Few persons have more to bind them to life.
She was eminently happy in her family ties-with a devoted
husband, a sweet child, father, mother and an only brother, to
all of whom she was devotedly attached.  Gifted by nature,
cultured and accomplished, endowed with great executive
ability, she longed to be one of Christ's workers in the world
and Church.  She was deeply interested in Sabbath school
work, and but a few days before her death she expressed, in
broken whispers, her joy that all the class for which she had
labored and prayed had professed faith in Christ and united
with his Church.
For years she made a brave struggle with disease, but when
it became clear that God would have her suffer his will, rather
than do it, she cheerfully laid down the work she loved, and
through months of protracted and often fearful suffering, she
glorified the grace of God by a faith and patience which never
failed.  God's word was the manna which sustained her, the
rod and staff upon which she leaned during that long and fearful passage of the Jordan when the waters overflowed all its
banks. " Out of the depths " she praised God in the language
of the 103d and 23d Psalms.
In the days of her health she was passionately fond of and
proficient in music, and often in those last days of feverish
restlessness she would ask those about her to sing, herself
selecting the old hymns of the church which she had learned
and loved when a child. She longed to depart-to be with
Christ; often exclaiming, "I long to go; come quickly, Lord
214The Old and New Xonoinaahela.
Jesus." Her clear mind was never for a moment dimmed by the
power of disease. At the last moment she gave mute assent to
the question, "is Jesus yet with you?"  And the bright smile
with which she departed told that she saw the glory and was
entering upon it.
" Death hath made no breach
In love and sympathy, in hope and trust;
No outward sign or sound our ears can reach;
But there's an inward spiritual speech
That greets us still, though mortal tongue be dust.
It bids us do the work that she laid down,
Take up the song where she broke off the strain,
So journeying till we reach the heavenly town,
Where are laid up our treasures and our crown,
And our lost loved ones will be founld again."
The Pittsburgh Evening Telegraph of November 26, 1877,
in a notice of her death, says:
"Mrs. Lizzie Cunningham, wife of J. C. Cunningham  and
daughter of Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis, of Bellevernon, died this
morning, after a long and painful illness.  Mrs. Cunningham
by her amiable disposition and generous nature, won many
friends who will sympathise with the fainily in this their sad
bereavement.  The church too, of which she was a member,
will lose an earnest an enthusiastic worker."
The Washington Reporter~ concludes a notice with'the remark that "Mrs. Cunningham was a former pupil of the Washington Female Seminary and has mlany warm  friends in this
community."  Col. Chill Ilazzard in an editorial notice says:
ONLY GONE BEFORE.--We note with sincere sympathy for
her friends and relatives, the death of Mrs. Lizzie Cunningham, at her late residence in Bellevernon, Pa., on Monday
morning, November 26, 1877, at five o'clock.  She was the
wife of J. C. Cunningham and only daughter of John S. Van
Voorhis, M. D.  The funeral took place this morning at ten
o'clock. Her days have been happy and full of gladness.
Her life was a song-a prayer--a kiss-a ministry of peace.
IUnselfish, she acknowledged no duty but to do good to others.
Forgetful of self she never forgot those about her.  IUnusually
215Tlte Old and NYew Monovygahela.
gifted with musical power, she gave way to its inspiration, and
knew no greater delight than to sit down with the greatest
masters, whose most intricate problems she loved to overcome.
Above all her purest devotion and affection were given to her
Savior, and in the interest of his church her zeal was only
bounded by the limit of possibility. Truly she hath done what
she could.  And it is'a sweet consolation to wounded hearts
to know that in the hour of suffering and pain His arms were
about her.
Dr. Van Voorhis removed with his family to Monongahela
City April 1, 1855. Returned to Bellevernon August 3, 1858,
where he remains to (1893) this day.  Whilst a resident of
Washington county he represented it in the lower house of the
Legislature in the sessions of 1857.  In the summer of 1885,
in company of his son, he traveled through Europe.
Isaac S., the only son of Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis, was born
in Bellevernon, June 5, 1851.  He was a student in Washington and Jefferson College for nearly four years; in the fall of
1871 he entered the College of New Jersey at Princeton, from
which he graduated in the class of 1873. He studied law with
the late Hon. Theodore Cuyler, of Philadelphia; was admitted
to the bar in that city in September of 1875, and in October
of the same year to the Pittsburgh bar, where he has secured
a lucrative practice. He was married by the Rev. L. Y.
Graham in Philadelphia April 9, 1878, to Miss Genevieve
Geib of the same city. They have two children: John S.,
born April 24, 1880, and Lavinia, born January 10th, 1885.
They reside in Pittsburgh.
THE SMITH FAMILY.
DR. BELA SMITH
Was born in Connecticut in 1762, and came to the "Forks of
Yough " between the years 1785 and 1789, and died October
17th, 1841, in the house recently torn down by Harry Markle
to make place for his present beautiful residence. This old
216The Old and Nevw Miononqahela.         217
house was near the end of the West Newton bridge in Rostraver
township, in Westmoreland county. The Doctor was highly
educated, especially in polite literature and general science,
and in manner was an accomplished gentleman.  He studied
medicine before leaving his native state.  He immigrated to the
Forks ostensibly as a yankee school teacher, and as such
obtained a school in the lower Forks in the neighborhood where
he first tarried over night.   During the progress of his school
a little child became very sick in the family with whom he
boarded. A doctor from the region of Brownsville was called
who visited the child every third day. One night the patient
grew worse to the alarm of the household. The school teacher
was aroused from his sleep.  On looking at the little sufferer,
he remarked that (if it was agreedble) "he had in his saddle
bags a preparation which he thought would help it. " He gave
the medicine, under which it so rapidly improved as not to
require any longer the physician who had been attending it.
During the recovery of the patient the mother remarked to her
benefactor, "you are no school teacher, but a doctor, arid I
want you to put out your shingle, and I will'board you until
you earn money enough to pay me."  He took her advice,
and in a short time acquired an extensive and lucrative practice.
He married Elizabeth Patterson, who died May 23, 1844, in
the same house in which the Doctor died. This property to
which we have alluded, called "Allison Delight," was deeded
to him in 1791, and has always been known as the Dr. Smith
homestead. He left a very large landed estate to his children.
Representatives of four generations lie burried in the Rehoboth
graveyard, and one of the fifth in the West Newton cemetery.
His son, Ebenezer, died in early life; Amanda died September
16, 1819, in her 19th year; Alvira died September 12, 1832;
she was the first wife of John Niccolls, who at one time owned
the farm in Carroll now owned by Grier McElvain, also the
farm on which the Gibsonton mills now stand, below Bellevernon, he is still living, as far as we know, in Bloomington, Ills.
Elizabeth, or as she was familiarly called, Betsy, married John218           The Old and -New ionongahela.
Housman, and died May 27, 1834.  She was the mother of
Bela S. Housman, still a resident of Rostraver, and of E. F.
Housman, now  a resident; of Greensburg, Pa.   Samuel
Stanhope, son of Dr. Smith, died unmarried January 29, 1859.
Talitha Cumi died unmarried April 13, 1846.   Polly married
Hugh Wright. She died March 20, 1822, and her husband
November 20, 1826.  Both remains are in Rehoboth church
yard. Ezra, one of the sons of Hugh and Polly Wright, renoved west in early life and resided many years near the town
of Nashville, in Illinois, where he died, just at what date we
are not informed. The Rensselaer Gazette, of Indiana, in noticing his death pays a glowing tribute to his memory.
Ezra was the grandson of John Wright, who lived in the
"Forks of Yough" on the farm lately owned by the heirs of
James S. Power.  John Wright died May 1, 1833, aged 87
years, and was buried in Rehoboth graveyard. He left as sons
James, Phillip, Joseph, John and Hugh, the latter of whoin
was the father of Ezra. Hugh Wright and Polly lived in the
house long known as the Hassler mansion, on the Wright farm
where Ezra was born.  Ezra was a cousin on the father's side
of Judge Wright who so long resided in Washington, D. C.,
during the winter and at Berkeley springs during the summer.
Ezra on the mother's side was a cousin of E. F. Housman, of
Greensburg, Bela B. Smith, of Rostraver, and Mrs. Dr. Van
Voorhis, of Bellevernon.  He was a brother of Mrs. Hiram
Patton and John Wright, of Fayette county, Pa.  Ezra removed to Jasper county, Indiana, in 1844, when that county
was new and undeveloped. He settled near Rensselaer, where
he carried on the tannery business.  He was elected county
treasurer in 1857 and re-elected in 1859; in 1861 was elected
to the state senate, and in 1865 to the lower house.  In his
career as a public officer he was always conscientious and energetic, and acted up to highest conceptions of truth and justice.
In private life he was a zealous christian and loyal to his convictions of right.  In 1871 he removed to southern Illinois
where he engaged in fruit culture until he died.The Old and New iMionoqyahela.
Bela B. Smith, son of the Doctor's, died April 27, 1859,
in the house now occupied by his grandson, Joseph H. Smith.
His wife was Nancy Pluiner, a daughter of the Hon. George
Plumer.  lie died March 12, 1870.  Esq. Bela B. Smith was
for many years a prominent and useful man in lhis native township of Rostraver.  He was elected Justice of the Peace for
many years, and was by all parties looked upon as a just and
upright judge, and as such his place was hard to fill.
Bela B. Smith left a son and two daughters, one daughter having preceded him to the better world.  His daughter Elizabeth
married James Todd, who died at Beaver Falls, Pa., not many
years since. His wife still resides in that place. The daughter,
Margaret L., married J. Westley Douglass, for many years a
prominent educator in Westmoreland county, but recently a
merchant of West Newton, in the same county.  Bela B.
Smith, Jr., son of Bela B. Smith, Esq., married Elizabeth
Housman and resides on the old home place in Rostraver,
where he was born.  He has long been anl active and useful
Elder in Rehoboth church.  Ami Ruhami, another son of Dr.
Smith, was born in Rostraver, October 29, 1803, died October
27, 1883.  His remains are in Rehoboth graveyard.  His first
wife was a Miss Clark, from Connellsville, Pa. She died October 27, 1854. They had several children, among whom
were John, Elizabeth, Ross, Sarah Ann, married to John
Flannegan, and Maggie, who is the sole survivor of the children and parents.  She now resides in West Newton, Pa. Sarah
Ann Flannegan died February 2, 1888. The second wife of
Ami Ruhami was Mary Jane Power, sister of John Power, of
Monongahela City, and mother of Mary Jane Power Smith,
who died at the house of John Power, in that place, March 11,
1883.  From the Daily Republtican we extract the following
notice of her death:
"Mary Jennie Power-Smith, adopted daughter of Mr. John
Power, of this city, died at her home on Sabbath morning,
at 10:30 o'clock, in her 25th year, of neuralgia. Funeral
on Tuesday at one o'clock, Monongahela cemetery.' She
2192The Old and New lMonongahela.
was the  daughter  of  Ami  R. Smith, of  Rostraver,
and came to Mr. and Mrs. Power's to live when but three
weeks old, and has lived with them as their own child (the
daughter of Mr. Power's sister,) growing up a lovely girl and
charming woman.  Jennie was more than ordinarily lovely in
her disposition.  She seemed to have the especial faculty of
being happy, and her home was filled with the light of everything that her love could brighten.
She united with Pigeon Creek Church at the age of fourteen,
and recently by certificate with the Presbyterian Church of
Monongahela City.
Jennie has gone, for so it happened that' Two angels went
out the doorway where but one went in.' "
Ami Ruhami's third wife was Mary Beezel, daughter of the
late Luke Beezel, of Rostraver.  The issue of this marriage
was their only daughter Lizzie, who died at Webster, Pa.,
August 12, 1884.
Ami Ruhami joined Rehoboth church in 1829, under thb
ministration of Rev. Robert Johnson, never having severed
his connection.  Whilst in health he not often failed to be in
his seat.  In all his dealings with men and the chllrch he was
prompt and upright.  He passed to the grave not only old and
full of years, but carrying with him the universal love of his
fellow men, and with the brightest prospects of a glorious immortality.  Harriet, daughter of Dr. Smith Fuller, late of
Connellsville, Pa.  She was the mother of Dr. Smith Fuller
and Amzi S. Fuller, both of Uniontown, Pa.
Micajah P., another son of Dr. Bela Smith, died at his late
residence in the village of Laurel, near Washington, D. C.,
May 14, 1884.  His remains arrived by railroad at West
Newton, Pa., May 16, and at 11 o'clock a. m. the funeral
took place from the residence of his son-in-law, Harry Markle.
The remains were followed to the cemetery by a large concourse
of his former fellow citizens and others that had grown up
around his old home.  The services were conducted by the
Rev.. James Nicols, pastor of the Presbyterian church of
-,)0 (Tlwe Old and New -Mononqa,hela.
Laurel, of which the deceased was a member, and by the Rer.
J. C. Meloy, of West Newton.  The remains were deposited
in the family lot in the cemetery of which he was the originator-there let them repose until the resurrection.  He was
born May 12, 1814, in the old Smith mansion in Rostraver
township, Westmoreland county, Pa., now owned by his
nephew, Bela B. Smith, and in which his grand nephew,
Joseph H. Smith, resides.   His first wife was Maria Markle,
who died January 17, 1851.  They had as children Harmar
D., late postmaster at West Newton, but now a resident of
Kansas.  Ebenezer was born February 25, 1840, and was
killed in the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862.
His remains repose in the cemetery where now lay those of his
father. Amzi has long been connected with the United States
Senate as superintendent of the docuinent room where he is
regarded by all parties as an honest and upright man, and as
an officer whose services are so highly appreciated as to command the continued support of every senator.  Markle, the
youngest, returned from the west recently and is now a resident
of West Newton.   Lizzie is the wife of John Krepps, of
Allegheny City, who enjoys his summer residence at the old
home of Ami Ruhami Smith in Rostraver.  Amanda is not
married, and has her home at this time in Washington, D. C.
Allie married Harry Markle, and are now living- in their
new home, erected on the site of the former home of her father
near the Rostraver end of the West Newton bridge. Micajah's
second wife was Mrs. Brown, of Jamestown, N. Y. They had
two children: Hattie E., who died October 14, 1860, and
Eva, the wife of Mr. Fay, residing in Washington, D. C.
Micajah was the youngest of twelve children of Dr. Bela
Smith, the "pioneer" physician of the "'Forks."  He was
the last born and the last to die.  He left his home in the old
house erected by his father a few months after the first inauguration of President Liincoln and became an attache of the census
bureau, and subsequently was transferred to the Indian department.  For many years of his early life he was identified with
221The Old and New iMonoongak/ela.
thy spirits may yet linger around this sacred spot whilst we
dedicate another temple to the god of science.
Up to this time, and many years afterwards, there was no
organized effort to establish a uniform  system of schools, the
first attempt in that direction being the assessment and collection of a poor tax on the richer to pay the schooling of the
poorer class of citizens.  This new notioni had many disadvantages and not arly virtues.  It fixed at once a discrimination in
personal character which was then and is inow distasteful to the
full-blooded American.
Schools were taught ini several of the old-time houses beside
the famous old log house already named.  A AMrs. McKeever,
an elderly lady, in 1819 had a school in an old house whlere
the depot now stands. Amorng her scholars were Joseph Warne,
well known in this vicinity.  Edward Tower, father of G. H.
and Theo. Tower, of Elizabeth, taught a school not lonrg afterwards in the old red houise that stood on the lot on which the
People's Bank now stands.
A Mr. Victor also taught in the same hlouse.  He also hlad
MIr. Joseph Wartne for a schellar.  This teacher boarded with
Mr. Jaines Warne, who built and lived in the house so long
occupied by the late Joseph Wilson on Main street.  Orlaindo
H. Gold taught about the year 1830 in the old red house on
the river bank, long known as the house in which the late
Samuel Black kept his first store.  The building has long since
disappeared.  Among his scholars were W. J. Alexander, the
worthy President of your Board of Directors, Charles Bebee,
Samuel C. Kiing, Wash. Spence, Sarnuel Guthrie, Win. IDevore,
Robert McGrew, Franklin Manown anid many other formerly
well-known boys.
Mr. Joseph Grieves, a man of delicate constitution  who
lived near the toll-gate up the pike-also taught in the old red
house on the river bank, the above-menitioned boys constituting
manly of his schtolars.  For some reason, during the progress
of his school he packed up his paraphernalia, consisting of rod,
ferule and dinner basket, and moved his quarters to the red
VI.2Tle Old and New JMonongahela.
West Newtoin's social, financial, religious and political interests.
He was always in the front in originating and executing any
new enterprise.  He was an active co-worker with General
Larimer, the Plumers, the Markles and others, in the old
Youghiogheny slack water enterprise, and mlany will yet call
to mind his beautiful speech at the reception given on the occasion of the arrival of the first steamboat at West Newton.
Before his removal to Washington, D. C., he had been an
elder in the Presbyterian church, and among bis latest good
deeds in the town of his youth was the giving life to the cemetery in which his remains are now interred.  Peace to his
memory.  " The old oaks are falling."
Amzi, the remaining son of Dr. Bela Smith, died January
7, 1831, in the 31st year of his age, in West Newton, Pa.
He left a wife and four daughters. His wife was Elizabeth
Plumer, daughter of Hon. George Plumer.  Polly was the
wife of James H. Van Voorhis, now of Cooperstown, Dakota.
She died near Monongahela City, July 29, 1848, leaving no
children.  Amanda was the wife of a man the name of John
C. Carr.  She died in Montecello, Ill., March, 1859.  Margaret L. was the oldest of Ainzi's children.   She died in
Rehoboth Valley, July 29, 1849. She was the wife of J.
Crawford Cook, who died September 3, 1858, near Fayette
City, Pa. They left one child, a daughter who married J. B.
Speer, now of Marshalltown, Iowa.   We extract from the
Presbyterian Advocate the following notice of the death of
Mrs. Margaret L. Cook:
Died, on the 29th day of July, 1849, at her residence in
Rehoboth Valley, Fayette county, Pa., Mrs. Margaret L., wife
of J. C. Cook, in the 26th year of her age.
In recording the virtues of the dead, we are too apt to over-.
look all faults, and extol and even over-rate the higher qualities;
but if truth should ever be our untiring guide it should be in
such cases. Though we may deceive and flatter the friends of
the dead by obituary notices, we canlnot influence Him who
stands as the judge of the quick and the dead.  The subject of
22The Old and New Miononyqacela.
the present notice was an object of very prolonged affliction.
It was her lot to be sorely afflicted for months ere she departed, and she bore all with humble submission and Christian
fortitude.  She never was known to murmur against the will
of the Lord; but often said, "the will of the Lord be done,
blessed be His holy name." During her long suffering she
seemed lost to the affairs of this world, and appeared wholly
absorbed in the contemplation of and preparation for eternity.
She had a longing desire to be with Christ, and seemed
anxious for the arrival of the hour when her spirit would take
its flight to the bosom of God. When she would recover from
a state of partial delirium she would often inquire whether she
had said anything that would tend to dishonor Christ or erect
stumbling blocks in the way of his enemies.
She had been a member of the Presbyterian church for
many years, and lived a life devoted to the service of her
Master, and fully maintained, at her closing hour, her ardent
attachment to the cause of Christ.
Of Amzi Smith's four daughters, none of whom are now
(1893) living except Betsy, wife of Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis, of
Bellevernon, Mrs. Smith married as her second husband IHenry
Fulton, of West Newton.  He moved to the farm in Carroll
township, Washington county, now owned by Greer McElvain,
in the spring of 1841.  He moved to Monongahela City in
1847. He died at the house of John Power in Nottingham
township, in the same county, April 13, 1869; his wife having
died October 5, 1868. Abram Fulton, the father of Henry,
came from Ireland, bringing his son, Abram, with him. Henry
Fulton's first wife was Rebecca Jack. By this wife Henry had
four children, viz: Abram, John, Jane and Ellen.  Abram
died years ago at Columbus City, Iowa.  John has long been
a resident of San Francisco, California. Jane married John
Power September 13, 1836; they were long residents of Monongahela City, Pa.   Ellen married Dr. Isett, and after his
death she married a man the name of Nichols; at last account
they were residing in Iowa.
223The Old and New   on[onyqahela.
Henry Fulton's second wife was Elizabeth Taylor.  They
had two children, Elizabeth and iRebecca.  Elizabeth died in
Washington, Pa., in 1866, unmarried.   Rebecca married
William J. Power; both died in the Pigeon creek Presbyterian
congregation. They had a large family of children, among
whom are Henry F. and William, elders in the Presbyterian
church at Pigeon creek.
Henry Fulton's third wife was Mary Chapin.  They had
three children, James P., Margaret and Hannah.  James P.
graduated at Washlington College in the class of 1846, and also
graduated at the Western Theological Seminary.  He married
Miss Fannie Shouse of Monongahela City.  After preaching
successfully at different churches in Pennsylvania, he finally
settled in Harper, Kansas, where he was the pioneer minister
of the Presbyterian church in that region, and where his labors
have been blessed especially in organizing churches and in
erecting church buildings.  By judicious investments he has
acquired considerable wealth, which enables him to live comfortably and arms him with still greater power to do good.
His son, William S., graduated at Lafayette College, and is
now one of the most prominent ministers of the Presbyterian
church in Kentucky.   He has been located for many years at
Lexington in that state. Henry C., another son, studied medicine with Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis of Bellevernon, graduated at
the Jefferson Medical College, and is now located at Asotin, in
the state of Washington. Two other brothers are located in
business in the same vicinity.  Margaret, daughter of Henry
Fulton married September 5th, 1855, James Means, of Mifflin
township, Allegheny county, Pa., where they have lived ever
since their marriage.   Their son, Henry F., graduated at
Washington and Jefferson College and at the Western Theological Seminary, and is now pastor of a church in Centre county,
Pa.  Their son, Nathan, also is a graduate of Washington and
Jefferson College, studied law in the office of Moreland 
Kerr, and is now a member of the Pittsburgh bar.
Hannah, daughter of Henry Fulton by his third wife, was
224Tlhe Old and New l/olononyahela.        225
married to Jonas Munson, of Connellsville, Pa.  They lived
for a time in a house on the river bank at what was known at
that time as Fulton's landing, on the farm now owned by Greer
McElvain, in Carroll.  Whilst living in this house their little
children, Mary, Elizabeth and Isaac Fulton, died of scarlet
fever, the former June 3 and the latter July 12, 1849.  Their
remains are still in the old graveyard on the hill, surrounded
by a neat iron fence.  Shortly after the death of these little
ones, Jonas Munson went to California to try his fortune ill the
new Eldorado on the Pacific coast.  In a few years his wife
and little Jennie joined him.  They settled near Cold Springs
where he carried on business in its different branches. He was
attacked one time by some prospecting tramps and so severely
beaten with picks and other tools as to be left on the ground
as dead; his skull was so injured as to require the taking out of
a part of the table of the skull two inches wide and four inches
long; the piece so removed the writer has in his possession.
He lived many years after this occurrence, but died in his new
home, never having returned to this country.  He left his
wife and four children. His wife paid a visit to her native
home some time before his death.  She died not long after her
return to California.
Henry Fulton, by his fourth wife (Mrs. Smith), had five
children living at the time of his death, viz:  Sarah, Nancy,
George P., Almira and Robert H.  Sarah married, May 24,
1864, Rev. J. H. Steveinson, now pastor of the Presbyterian
church at Mount Carmel, Illinois.  Sarah graduated at Washington Fenlale Seminary in the class of 1857. Their daughters
Judith Mary, and Sallie are graduates of the same Institution.
Nancy graduated at the Steubenville Seminary, but in what
class we cannot state.  She is the wife of Rev. R. T. Price,
pastor of the church of Scio, Harrison county, Ohio.  Their
oldest daughter Bessie married a Mr. Robinson, and now lives
in Louisiana.
Alnmira married Rev. E. P. Lewis, who is at this time pastor
of a Presbyterian church in St. Patul, Minnesota. Their oldest6The Old and New iiMonongahela.
child, Eddie, in his eleventh year died, whilst they resided in
Rochester, Penn'a. He was a bright boy and of fair promise.
Robert H., youngest son of Henry Fulton, graduated at
Washington and Jefferson College in the class of 1866. He
also graduated at Western Theological Seminary.  Shortly
after he was licensed to preach he was called to the pastorate
of a Presbyterian church in Baltimore, Md. He is now and
has been for some years pastor of the Northminster church in
Philadelphia, where he ranks among the most talented and
successful ministers in that city. At the annual commencement
in 1887 he had the honorary degree of D. D. conferred on him
by his Alma Mater.
GEORGE P. FULTON
The remaining son of Henry Fulton, was born in West Newton,
Pa., November 1, 1833, and died October 4, 1887, and was
buried at Rehoboth, Westmoreland county. The Monongahela
Republican, printed in the place of his early life, in a notice of
his death, says:  "Ile was the son of HIenry and Elizabeth
Plumer Fulton, well known former citizens of this city. The
deceased was a grandson of the HIon. Geo. Plumer, who
represented Westmoreland county in Congress from 1821 to
1829. His grandmother on his mother's side was a daughter
of Alex. Lowrey, a member of the convention which framed
the Pennsylvania State Constitution of 1776.  His father and
mother were residents of this city for many years. The deceased was educated in the common. schools of West Newton and this city, and took a partial course in Washington
College. His life was devoted to teaching in the common
schools. At seventeen years of age he taught his first school
at the Cross Roads in Rostraver township, Westinoreland
county; his next teaching was in Bellevernon, Pa., during the
years of 1852 and'53.
He was teaching in the vicinity of Fayette City, Pa., when
in 1862 lie entered the Federal army, enlisting in the 155tl
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunlteers.  At the close of the war
226Th/e Old and New iV_  onongahela.
he was ellgaged in the Quartermaster's department at Washington, D. C. In 1870 he was elected Principal of the Hiland
public school in the city of Pittsburgh, with which he has been
connected ever since, and in June last he was unanimously reelected for a term of three years.  His success in teaching was
unmeasured, and his personal popularity was -well attested in
the sympathy and condolence expressed in every community
in which he ever resided. His loss as a teacher will be only
fully estimated in the hearts of those who have for over onethird of a century shared the wisdom of his rich mind, and the
kindness of his heart overflowing with tender feeling for those
around him.  His mission was to enrich the young mind with
not only knowledge, but to cultivate the inner and more heavenly emotions that reign in the immortal spirit. Blessed be
God, the world's loss is his gain.  He went down to the grave
with the bright hopes of awakening in the morning with the
full realization of that everlasting rest which he often said
could alone be secured through the blood of Christ. His
remains, at his own request, were interred in the Rehoboth
graveyard, along side of his father and mother, beneath the
trees which he had ordered to be planted years ago.
Prof. Fulton married, when a young man, Miss Frazer, a
relative of the Hon. R. S. Frazer, of the Allegheny county bar.
He has four children living-Dr. Henry Fulton, who at present
supplies his father's place as principal; W. E. Fulton, a well
known attorney; and Robert and Nannie, who are both children
under 16 years of age. His family relations have ever been
of the most admirable character.
Another paper, in giving an account of the.funeral services,
remarks; "Last night Rev. J. P. E. Kumler, of the East End
Presbyterian church, conducted the funeral services over the
remains of Prof. George P. Fulton, at the latter's late home in
the East End.  The services were simple in character, consisting only of prayer and an eloquent'address.  Among Rev.
Kumler's remarks were the following:'We have gathered to
pay tribute to the friend now cold in death.  The expressionsThe Old a,nd New Mofonfoqahela.
of sorrow at his departure are not confined to his own household.  They fall from lips of every one in the community in
which he performed his trying labors, and are uttered also by
those with whom he came in public contact. We all knowr how
trying are the duties of those engaged in his profession.  His
Christian character, his even temperament, and an unusual
affability charmed away their burdensomness.  The yoke of
duty was to him a yoke of pleasantness. He is not dead. It
is simply the crumbling about him of a house in which he was
the august tenant.  His belief in Christ, and the knowledge
that Christ would dissolve all earthly doubts and mysteries in
the ineffable light of heaven limned the fall of the awful
shadow with effulgent light. He has passed away, and naught
remains now but to say that he is in an abode of blissful rest,
and to commend to the care of the loving Savior the widow,
now in lamentation, the children he so nobly reared to the
manifold duties of life, and the tenderer ones who have yet to
fathom its perplexities.' At the conclusion of the services the
remains were viewed by several hundred. "
PROF. GEO. P. FULTON'S MOTHER.
She was Elizabeth, daughter of the Hon. Geo. Plumer, for
many years a member of Congress of Westmoreland county,
Pa.  She was born near West Newton, Pa., in 1803. After
her marriage to Amzi Smith they lived in that place and in
Rostraver until Amzi's death, January 7, 1831. After her
marriage to Henry Fulton they lived in West Newton until the
spring of 1841, when the family moved to the Cooper-Lynn
farm above Mlonongahela City, now owned by Greer McElvain.
In the spring of 1847 they moved to Monongahela City, occupying the house now owned by the heirs of Richard Stockdale.
There Mr. Fulton carried on the tannery located in the rear of
the same lot on which the house stood. He afterwards bought
the old Cooper tannery, which occupied part of the lot on which
Jas. P. Shepler's residence 1now stands, on the pike above
Chess street.  Fulton built the house on Third street, above
228The Old aind New Jono,ogahela.
Chess street, on part of the tannery lot, where he resided until
he moved to Washington, Pa., in the early sixties. In 1867
Fulton removed to Brownsville, where Mrs. Fulton, October 5,
1868, died. The Rev. W. S. Plumer, D. D., in an article
published a short time after her death, states:  "Died, in
Brownsville, Fayette county, Pa., on the 5th of October, 1868,
Mrs. Elizabeth Plumer Fulton, daughter of the late Hon. George
Plumer, of Westmoreland county, Pa., and wife of Henry
Fulton, Esq., in the 65th year of her age.
This excellent lady had at various times seen great trials and
affiictions; but if she lost a child she seemed determined not
to lose the benefit of such bereavement.  She had a very good
mind well stored with Bible knowledge, and well established
in the doctrines of grace.  IHer last end was peace.  She was
in full possession of her faculties till her eyes closed in death.
During her last illness she spoke freely of her own decease,
gave her blessing to those around her, and a charge concerning
her burial. The light of the Redeemer's countenance was
abundantly shed upon her soul.  From her birth she had been
well cared for and early instructed in the great truths of religion.  By one still living it is remembered that her grandfather, Jonathan Plumer, "the Indian's friend," and the
zealous Elder, spent the night of her birth in prayer, devoting
her to God with many prayers and tears. Her excellent
parents always set before her an example of serious piety, and
often prayed with her, and for her.  Dear, gentle, faithful,
loving one, we shall see thy meek and pleasant face no more
on earth.  But christians have no final partings with each
other.  Thou hast wept thy last tear, heaved thy last sigh,
suffered thy last pang! Blessed be God for all'his grace and
mercy to thee! If we are faithful we shall soon join in thy
worship around the throne of God and the Lamb.
A writer in the same paper, in a notice of her death, says:
"Mrs. Fulton was descended from a line of godly ancestors,
dating back to the settlement of America, when the Huguenot
fathers left possessions and country for freedom  to worship
17
229I'he Old atnd New _Monongahela.
God.  She was the daughter of Hon. George Plumer of pious
memory. Carefully trained in the doctrines of the Presbyterian
church, parental faithfulness was awarded in her early conversion.  To the close of her life she was a consistent and devoted
member of the church whose doctrines and privileges she loved
with no ordinary affection. Ever ready to do good as she had
opportunity, the care of a large famnily and feeble health confined her efforts, in a measure, to her own family circle.  But
here she was eminently faithful-careful to teach her children
by both precept and example; slhe prayed much with and for
thein. She often said with much feeling, "I have never sought
earthly honors or riches for my children; but Oh! I have
sought the riches of the Kingdom.  She was called to pass
through many afflictions.  Sad change, sore bereavements and
great bodily sufferings were in turn permitted to try her faith;
but to one who by her death bed was alluding to her trials, she
replied, "Goodness and mercy have followed me all the days
of my life."
Although for some months her health had been failing, no
immediate danger was apprehended by the family, yet she set
her house in order, and when at last the messenger caine
suddenly, she was ready.
God's grace was very abundant to her in her last hours,
enabling her fearlessly, even joyfully, to meet the last enemy,
of whom all her life she had been greatly afraid. IHer intellect
was unclouded to the last moment of her life, and amid *great
bodily anguish she was enabled "to rejoice in the hope of the
glory of God," and thus passed away " to be forever with the
Lord. "   ( "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ."
The Monongahela PRcpubican, in reference to her death,
says:
DIED.-October 5, 1868, at her late residence in Brownsville,
Pa., in the 65th year of lier age, Mrs. Elizabetli Plumrer
Fulton, wife of Henry Fulton, formierly of this city.  Mrs.
Fulton was well known in this community as an eminently pious
230Tlhe Old and New lMonongahela.
and devoted christian. She was a member of the Presbyterian
church for more than forty years, and the walk and conversasation of her life gave ample evidence of the heavenly inheritance which awaited her at death.  She lived for Christ,' and
died rejoicing in the full hope of that inluortality which is in
reserve for the people of God.
After the death of his wife Mr. Henry Fulton became a
member of the family of Mr. John Power, in Bellevernon,
Pa., and on their removal to the Rankin farm, on Mingo, in
Washington county, he went with them, where he died April
13, 1869, and his remains were interred at Rehoboth beside
his wife.
]DEATH OF MARS. MARY FINLEY.
This estimable and christian lady died at the residence of
her daughter, Mrs. Eberhart, in Winona, Minnesota, January'29, 1864, in the seventy-third year of her age.  She was the
eldest daughter of George and Margaret Lowrey Plumer.
George Plumer was born December 5, 1762, on a farm of 200
acres, which his father, Jonathan Plumer, bought of Col.
George Croghian, in February, 1759, now in the 17th ward of
the city of Pittsburgh, Pa.  The treaty of peace between
England and France was signed in Paris on the 8th of November preceding, by which all of the region westward of the
Alleghenies to the Mississippi was ceded to the English forever.
George Plumer and wife first lived in Puckety, seventeen
miles above Pittsburgh, on the Allegheny river. In 1788 or 9,
George Plumer and his wife were given by Col. Lowrey, Mrs.
Plumer's father, the land at the junction of Sewickley creek
and the Youghiogheny river, where were born the children of
a happy union, whose memory is cherishled by their descendants.  In 1814 Mary Plumer married James Smith, who, with
John C. Plumer, had been a year in Captain Markles' troop of
horse in the war of 1812.
James Smith was an extensive business man in Robbstown,
1now West Newton, for many years.  In 1825 be removed to
23118  The Old an-d New Mlonongalteia.
house, where the People's Bank now stands, he, in common
with his patrons, having a peculiar taste for a red house.  In
after years no doubt many of them were gratified to see brick
substituted, whether on account of the red color or not, we can
only have our opinion.  In a recent interview  with Moses
Arthurs, now a resident of this city and perhaps with us tonight, he informed us that he taught a school. in 1831 in an old
house which stood on the river bank on the upper corner of the
lot on which the old Huston mansion then stood-above the
old wharf.  MIr. B. F. Bentley was one of h-is sclholars, if we
are not mistaken.
In the year 1834 Mr. E. A. Talbot opened a school in the
old Methodist Church, a part of which can still be saen near
the new wharf, and Miss Clarke, an aunt of S. C. anrd W. H1.
Wilson, taught a school during the samne year in the old house
formerly known as the Dorcas Cooper house, opposite the
present residence of Richard Stockdale, onll Main street.  To
this school of Miss Clarke Mr. Underwood first sent his childreni after his arrival in the place.  IUnder her teaching my old
friend and schoolmnate " Uncle Abe," learned his first lesson
of wisdom, and perhaps to the early iimpressions of her rulings
may be attributed the fact that to this day he hlas eschewed
imatrimnony.  MIr. Watson, well known among the boys as BPlue.
Bear,d, also kept school in this house.  It seemned in those days
that no kind of a building except an old house could be used
for a school house.  The idea of erecting a school house was
not even among the possibilities.  Such, in a general way, was
the condition of school matters in this vicinity prior to the
adoptioni of the commnon school systemn of 1834, and let it ever
be to its credit that the towinship emnbriacing Williamsport was
among the first to accept the provisioiis of the law.  By the
Act of Assembly dated March 28, 1781, the county of Washington was divided into thirteen townships, one of which number was called Fallowfield, and included within its territory the
district now known as Monongahela City.  All schools to which
we have alluded were within its limits until the formation of
1 182Tlhe Old  and Newv ionopnaheia.
Pittsburgh, where for a time he was in business.  From Pittsburgh he removed to Blairsville, where he had acquired a
growing trade, but his health failed, aind in August, 1829, he
died.
After the death of Mr. Smith the family returned to their
old home in Robbstown.  Their oldest son, George P., at an
early age, after the death of his father, thrfough the kindness of
Thomas Plumer, obtained in May, 1830, a position with anl
English firm, "'Simpson  Smith," on Wood street, Pittsburgh.  After the dissolution of this firm in 1831, he went to
McClurg  Denniston, with whom he was a boy and man, for
five years, after which time he became a member of the firm
of Hampton, Smith  Co., in the wholesale and retail dry
goods business.  He retired from mercantile life in 1855.  He
resides now, 1893, in Philadelphia.  J. C. P. Smith, another
son, studied law in Pittsburgh, and with his brother, A. O. P.
Smith, are residents of the west.  Finley died many years ago
in Iowa.  The only daughter, Margaret L., married William
Eberhart, and died, as stated elsewhere, in Chicago.
In 1835. Mrs. Mary Smith, the subject of this sketch, married
Michael Finley, and in their new home near Rehoboth church,
in Westmoreland county, Pa., passed 15 years most happily,
he dying in 1850.  About six or seven years after the decease
of Mr. Finley, Mrs. Finley removed to Ohio, and finally
settled in Winona, Minnesota, where she died. Wherever she
lived, in whatever sphere she acted, her part was well done.
Her company was sought after socially, and her influence for
good was unbounded. We close this sketch by quoting from
a western paper part of a notice of her death:  *'"Her father,
George Plumer, was said to have been the first white male
child born under the British dominion west of the Allegheny
mountains.  Familiar from childhood with the history of the
noble men anid women  who, in perils of Indian warfare, had
made their homes in that beautiful region, and laid deep the
foundations of the Presbyterian clhurch in westernl Pennsylvania.
She loved to dwell on their trials, an(l contrast present privi232_Th/e Old and New Mononqyahela.
leges with the narrations she had heard of early days.  A
mother indeed in Israel--beloved by all, revered and cherished
by her children.  She was sustained in her last hours by the
everlasting arms of the Savior she had loved and served through
life and trusted in deatl.'
THE HAIR FAAIILY.
JAMES HAIR.
Was born in Maryland, but his earlier days were passed on a
farm near Girardstown, Berkeley county, Virginia, now West
Virginia.  He married Rebecca McKown of the same county.
He moved his family from Virginia in 1806, and tarried for a
time in the vicinitv of Canonsburg, Washington county, Pa.
He, in 1807, purchased from a mall named Messenger the mill
on Pigeon creek, well known in after years as Hair's mill. In
connection with this property, he also bought the adjoining
farm, known in those days as the Platter farm, on which he
resided to the day of his death, which occurred September 12th,
1826.  The family at first lived in one end of the mill.  He
was a member of the Presbyterian church before he settled on
Pigeon creek.
James Hair served as an elder with Michael Powers and
others in the old Horseshoe bottom meeting house, which stood
on what was then the Crawford but now John Wilson farm, in
Fallowfield. He was so completely identified with the Presbyterian church in its early day in Washington county that its
history is that of James Hair to a very great extent.  When
the question was asked of Dr. Ralston, the pastor of Horseshoe
meeting house, ho wa church could be organized in the town
of Williamsport, now Monongahela City, he replied:  "Elect
James Hair, Esq., an elder, now already ordained, and go to
work."  Thus, at one ecclesiastical cot.up (de graCCe, the old
Horseshoe bottom  congregation was swallowed up.  He did
perhaps, more for the Presbyterian church in his day than any
of his cotemporaries.  His remains, together with that of his
233The Old and New lononga/hela.
wife, were interred in the old Presbyterian graveyard in Monongahela City but a few years ago-the kind hearts of his sons,
Rev. G. M. Hair and Dr. B. W. Hair, had them removed to
the Monongahela City Cemetery.
James Hair was appointed justice of the peace by Governor
Snyder in 1811, and served as such to the day of his death.
He kept his docket in copy-book form of foolscap paper, most
of which docket is now in possession of the writer, and it is of
interest to note its many and peculiar features.
Mrs. Hair died August 18th, 1840, on the old Hair farm.
They had  large family of children, all of whom lived to manhood and womanhood.  All were married and were members
of the Presbyterian church.  Mary, as we already have stated,
was the wife of Isaac Van Voorhis.  John was the oldest of
the children; he married Harriet Brenton.
John was a miller by trade.  He lived at and carried on the
old Hair's mill until about the year 1836, when he moved to
Stark county, Ohio, where he was one of the company which
laid out the town of Mount Union. He died in 1855 or 56.
His wife still (1892) survives him.  Martha married John
Crouch. Both are dead. Louisa married Joseph Brenton, of
the vicinity of Brownsville, Pa.  They are both dead, leaving
a large family of children.  Eliza, January 1, 1828, married
John Potter, who was born' December 15, 1803, and died
August 28, 1878.  His wife died in 1869.
He had arrived at four-score years of age. His remains
were interred in the cemetery of the church of Pine Creek,
Allegheny Presbytery, where those of his wife were laid some
nine years since. He was married to Eliza, daughter of the
late James Hair, Esq., anld sister of Mary H., wife of the late
Isaac Van Voorhis.  Of the family connection present at that
marriage, Mary, Martha, Eliza, Ibela, Louisa, John, James,
Uriah, and Samuel, have gone to their rest, with the father
and mother, sons-in-law Brenton, Van Voorhis, Crouch, and
now Potter.  Mr. Potter had four sons, all in the ministry.
John died some years ago.  James H., of Florida, Gilbert M.,
234The Old an,d New Jlfonongahela.
pastor of the Church at Pine Creek, and Henry N., pastor of
the church of Darlington, Beaver county, Pa.  He was born
and brought up in the congregation of Mingo, under the pastoral care of Rev. Dr. Ralston, D. D)., by whom he was
married, and under whose ministrations he was taken into the
church in his youth, and was elected a Ruling Elder at the age
of twenty-two years.
Ibela, the youngest daughter of Esq. Hair, married James
Baker.  He was the son of Nicholas Baker, a prominent elder
in the old Maple Creek church.  IHis remains at last account
were still in the graveyard of that now abandoned church.
Ibela died January 13, 1843.  Her remains are in the Monongahela cemetery.
Samuel, son of James Hair, was born on the old Hair farm
on Pigeon creek, in Washington county, Pa., April 1st, 1808,
and died May 11th, 1876, in Chicago.  I-e graduated at
Jefferson College in 1832; lie also graduated from the Western
Theological Seminary.  HIe was licensed to preach by the
Monroe Presbytery, of Michigan, in 1835, and continued in
active service for Christ until a short time before hlis death.
He was a finlished scholar, and above all a true champion in
the cause of Christ.  At a meeting of the Chicago Presbytery
held May 15th, 1876, suitable resolutions were passed in respect to his memory, and of condolence and sympathy for the
family.  A  memorial sermon by his pastor, Rev. A. E.
Kithredge has been printed and distributed among his friends,
in which his character as a Christian is fully set forth, and the
result of his labors in different fields are summed up.  His
great work seemed to be that of organizing churches, for which
he had peculiar qualifications.  Besides numerous churches
which he was instrumental in organizing, he was the real
founder of the Michigan University, of Ann Arbor, now one
of the most flourishing institutions of the west.  This institution sprang from what was knlown as the Michigan Manual
Labor School, of which he was the first teacher, having twelve
young men under his charge.
2352lhe Old a,nd New Monowyahela.
Samuel Hair was married April 22nd, 1834, to Miss Eliza E.
Sample of Canonsburg, Pa., who survives him and resides in
Chicago, Ill.  Mrs. Hair was born in Philadelphia, but spent
most of her days, prior to marriage, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Mr. and Mrs. Hair had seven children, one died in early life
and one daughter, Annie, died in 1887. A Chicago paper
prints the following beautiful tribute to her memory:
"Mrs. Annie Hair Elphicke died at her home in Lawndale,
Chicago, July 20th, 1887.   She leaves a loving husband and
three children, one an infant.  Her death was sudden and unexpected.  The home was a happy, loving home until death
entered.  She united with the church when young, was a conscientious, exemplary Christian, a loving, kind, affectionate wife
and mother. Six months ago death came and claimed a beautiful boy.  She bore this affliction with Christian fortitude.
Now they know as they were known; now the victory is hers,
and they are ascribing glory, honor and praise to him who
bought them and washed them in the blood of the lamb.
Dearest loved onie, we must lay thee
In the peaceful grave's embrace,
But thy memory will be cherished'Till we see thee face to face.
MAary J. V., another daughter, died November 21st, 1891.
The remaining of the children living are all residents of
Chicago.
James G., another son of'Squire Hair, was born on the old
Hair farm; was married to Phcebe Kerr, daughter of Aaron
Kerr, of whom we have written in another place.  James G.
Hair died in Claysville, Pa., August 10, 1885, aged 80 years.
His wife and one or two children survive him.
B. W. Hair, the youngest son of James Hair, Esq., read
medicine with the late Dr. R. F. Biddle in the old office which
stood where George A. Hoffman's store now is, on the corner
of Main street and Church alley in Monongahela City.  He
obtaiIled his early education in the common schools at the Dutch
meeting house and in the old Colhoon school, and his college
236The Old and New Monongyaehela.
training at Washington, Pa. He married Margaretta L. Hamilton, of Frankfort, Pa., who died at IHamilton, Ohio, March 4,
1882.  Dr. B. W. Hair has been married a second time.  He
now resides in Hamilton, Ohio, but carries on his extensive
chemical works in Cincinnati.  He is the inventor of Hair's
Asthma Cure, which holds a large share of public confidence
and from which he has realized a handsome competence.
Uriah was another son. He married Miss Thomas. daughter
of James Thomas, of near Dunningsville, Washington county,
Pa. They lived for a time in the stone house at H air's old mill
on Pigeon creek; moved West many years since; resided in
Galesburg, Ill., for a term of years.  Their home now (1891)
is at 120 South Ashland avenue, Chicago.  On the 14th of
March, 1888, they celebrated their golden wedding, UTriah
being 76 and his wife 75 years old at that time.
They have had several children, but we have not any notes
in reference to their progress in life, excepting an account of
the death of the wife of their eldest son James T. Hair, to
which we give place. Mrs. Josephine Estelle lHair (nee Butler)
died February 20, 1887, and was buried from the family residence, No. 3337 Michigan avenue, Chicago, on Friday, the
funeral services being conducted by the Rev. S. J. McPherson,
of the Second Presbyterian church. The deceased was the
grand-niece of the late William 0. Butler, of Kentucky, candidate for Vice President on the Democratic ticket, with Lewis
Cass, in 1848, and was related also to Daniel Pierce Butler and
Senator M. C. Butler, of South Carolina. She was married in
1875, in the 16th year of her age, to James T. Hair, the well
known publisher, and a resident of Chicago since 1863. Five
children were born to them, of whom three survive.  Mrs.
I-air was an accomplished lady, in the prime of womanhood,
being only twenty-seven years of age, and in the enjoyment,
a few weeks since, of perfect health.  She was possessed of
many rare qualities of mind and heart, having a remarkably
quick perception that grasped almost intuitively matters which
to most minds are made clear only by study and effort.  She
2372The Old qnd New Jifononyahela.
was of a sunny disposition, vivacious and winsome.  She had
traveled extensively with her husband, and had a large circle
of friends in Cincinnati, New Orleans, St. Louis, Denver, and
other cities, as well as in Chicago, who lament her loss and
sympathise with the bereaved husband and his three motherless children.'[From Monongahela Republic(Lt, February 19, 1890.]
DEATH OF URIAH HmAIR.
Clinton Van Voorhlis hands us the following item, clipped
from the Chicago Daily News, February lst, 1890, noting the
death of his uncle:
Uriah Hair, a well known citizen of Chicago, died yesterday
at his residence, 120 Ashland avenue.  Mr. Hair was nearly
78 years old.  He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and came to Illinois in 1856, locating on a farm in
McDonough county.  Appreciating the advantages of education, he removed to Galesburg in 1886 to give his children the
benefits of schooling. They speak of the sacrifices he made to
give them instruction, with the deepest sense of gratitude.
Mr. Hair came to Chicago in 1876, but was not engaged in
active business during his residence here.  His wife and six of
his children survive him- James T., William F., Lydia R.,
Josiah T., Samuel F., and John V. Hair.  Ile was a brother
of the late Rev. Samuel Hair.  His only living brother is Dr.
B. W. Hair, a practicing physician of Cinciniati, the youngest
of twelve children.
THE LATE REV. G. M. HAIR.
He was born September 4, 1815, in the old log house still
standing on what was long known as the Ilair farm, now owned
by the heirs of the late John Hill, and situated in Carroll township, Washington coulnty, Pa.  He attended common schools.
in the neighborhood of his birth, was at first inclined to enter
mercantile life, but in answer to the prayers of pious parents he
238hlte Old asd Ne~w Wlonongahela.
entered upon a course of preparation for the ministry and
graduated at Washington college, Pa., in 1838.
In the fall of the same year he married Miss Jane Sample,
of Steubenville, Ohio, and immediately began to teach at Martinsburg, Ohio, where he built up a flourishing academy. While
there he studied theology with the late Dr. Hervey, and was
licensed to preach the gospel in the spring of 1840.  His first
charge was the church of Nottingham. While serving it he was
elected president of Franklin college, Athens, Ohio, but declined the appointment. He then preached for a time at Wellsburg, W. Va..; started to New Orleans to accept an invitation
to the First Presbyterian church of that city, but stopped at
Covington, Ky.; was for five years pastor of the churches of
Montgomery and Somerset in Hamilton county, Ohio, where his
wife died in 1849; in 1850 was married to Miss Eliza Naylor,
who survives him; in 1853 was called to the church of Franlklin, Ohio, and afterwards labored two years at Carlisle, Ohio;
and at the outbreak of the war was engaged in building up a
fenlale seminary near Lexington, Ky., but owing to his Union
sentiments was compelled to leave at great personal sacrifice.
After this he preached two years at Cambridge City, Ind.
Some time prior to 1864 he entered the Christian Commission, where in his term of twelve weeks he received into the
church at the army chapel 600 soldiers. In 1864 he was called
to the First church of Alexandria, Va., where he labored until
the close of the war.  In 1865 he preached nine months to the
church at Gerardstown, W. Va., during which time 101 were
added to the church-this was the church of his father, from
which he brought his certificate to the old Horseshoe church in
1807. His next charge was Eaton, Preble county, Ohio, during the first year of which he was invited to and occupied the
pastorate of the South church in Baltimore, Md.  In 1869 he
accepted a call to the First church of McKeesport, Pa.  In
1872 he took charge of the Rehoboth church, Presbytery of
Redstone.  He resigned June 1, 1874, and removed to Chicago, Ill.; while in that city he organized a church at Lawn239The Old anid New Ifononqahela.
dale.  The care of his wife's aged parents was his next duty.
Whilst with them he preached at New Carlisle, in the vicinity
of Franklin, Ohio. In May, 1877, he took charge of the Westminster church, East End, Pittsburgh.  His health failing, he
retired from active service after forty years in the ministry.
Partially recovering his health, he labored in the Knoxville
church, near Pittsburgh, for a short time, during which the
church increased in number three times as many as when he
began to serve it.
In September, 1883, he removed to Florida in search of
health, where he preached almost every Sabbath, and organized
the church at Ravenswood, as a New Year's gift to the Lord.
His health appeared to improve until February last; from
that time he gradually declined.  With his wife he started
for his native state, and May 31 he reached the home of
his daughter, Mrs. Spurgeon, at West Point, N. Y., where
on Tuesday, June 3, 1884, he died. His remains were brought
to Pittsburgh, and his funeral took place June 5 from the residence of his son-in-law, H. D. Gamble. He leaves three
daughters and one son.
Mr. Hair's great delight was to do the work of an evangelist. This was the principal cause of his frequent removals.
Unless he could see some visible fruit in the conversion of
souls, he was not satisfied.  He was a man of prayer and of
earnest devotion to the cause of his Master.
THE SAMPLE FAMILY.
John Sample had three brothers and one sister: their names
were William, Alexander, Samuel and Mary.  Mary married
Admiral Graves, a resident of north of Ireland, and was connected with the royal family. John Sample was second cousin
to George the third.  Admiral Graves was commander-in-chief
of the marine forces of England, being appointed by the king
on account of his connection with the crown through his wife.
Admiral Graves was sent from England with a large fleet in
b
240The Old and New iJlXonongakel/a.
the time of the revolufion to relieve Cornwallis at the battle of
Yorktown, but he arrived one day too late, as Cornwallis had
been taken by General Washington.  Admiral Graves returned
with his fleet to England. He was owner of old Castle-Dawson
with its elegant parks and hunting grounds.
John Sample's wife's maiden name was Margaret Whiteside,
a resident of Belfast, Ireland.  Her brother, James Whiteside,
was Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, the highest gift of the queen.
He was a nobleman.  At the age of 16 Margaret Whiteside
married a young man named William Thompson, also a resident
of Belfast. They had three children, John T., William T. and
Mary.  Mr. and MIrs. Thompson immigrated to America while
their children were quite young and settled in Philadelphia,
where Mr. Thompson died not long after his arrival. In a few
years after his death his widow married John Sample, of the
same city.  He was a merchant.  The issue of this marriage
was seven children, viz: Ann, Margaret, Sarah, Eliza, Alexander, Jane and Martha.  John Sample died in Pittsburgh,
Pa., in 1829; his wife died in 1850, in Kentucky, whilst on a
visit to her daughter, Mrs. Martha Wheeler.  Jane mLarried
Rev. G. M. Hair, both of whom are deceased.  Eliza married
Rev. Samuel Hair, whose death is noted elsewhere. His wife,
at this date (1893) is still alive, and resides at No. 4417 Lake
avenue, Chicago.  Martha married John T. Wheeler, now
deceased;  his wife survives him  and resides in Chicago.
Alexander was long a resident of Steubenville, Ohio, where he
was regarded as one of the most distinguished dentists in that
profession.
ALEXANDEIR WILSON.
He was born near Roxbury, Franklin county, Pa., July 7,
1807,; died at IHeyworth, Illinlois, June 14, 1862.  Ile was
the son and eldest child of Col. Stephen Wilson, a prominent
citizen of Franklin counlty, wlho had taken an active part in the
war of 1812, and three times represented his district in the
Legislature of this state; born in the same county in 1789, and
241Te Old and New JiJfononqahela.             19
Carroll, September 30, 1834.  It will be noticed that Miss
Clarke and Mr. Watson were the last to teach in the town whilst
it was connected with old Fallowfield. Before the school system was organized, Carroll Township was formed and Willianlsport was within its limits and under its jurisdiction for all
purposes.
The first election in the new township was held at the house
of Joseph Hamilton, who kept the hotel now known as the
Miller House, on Main street.  At this election a Board of
School Directors was elected for the first time. On this Board
devolved the duty of organizing the Township for school purposes.  This was no easy task.  We canl recall but the names
of David Williams, uncle of your -lonorable Secretary, Isaac
Van Voorhis, my venerated father, and Geo. Morrison, now
residing in Uniontown, as members of that Board. The Board,
for the time being, divided the Township into convenient subdistricts, as required by law, using for school-houses whatever
old buildings could be obtained. An old house on the hillside,
to the left of the road leading from Yerty's Run to Galbreath's,
furnished one in which a one-armed man was teacher.  He
being barred out at one time at the approach of the holidays,
forced an enltrance through the clapboard roof and soon settled
the boys with a severe cldr6bbinq, as it was called.  He was a
strict but succesful teacher introducing many new and practical
ideas not dreamed of in old time philosophy. This school was
finally merged into the one in the stone house at the forks of the
run, Col. A. T. Gregg, now in this audience, aided in building, and in which house he taught the first school, thus carrying
into practice  the homeopathic dogma, "Sinmiliac simnlibus
ceurantutr "  On the hill, above the present residence of Win.
Blythe, may yet be seen traces of a log cabin, which, condemined by common consent as unfit for any other use, was
selected as a suitable school house.  It was a retired spot, not
even a road, much less a house, within sight; no wonder the
proprietor was constantly complaining of the depredations of
such boys as McCarty Williams, Robert Phillips, James Stock19~The Old and New lontongachela.
died there in 1823, in his 45th year, leaving his son Alexander,
16 years old, in charge of the farm, and his mother, with eight
children, now all deceased, excepting Mrs. Margaret ierron,
now residing in the 17th ward, Pittsburgh. Alexander received
a coimmlon school educatioin, principal part of which was prior
to the death of his father.
He was married to Agnes Ilerron, of Franklin county, June
11th, 1828, who died in Pittsburgh, November 21st, 1832.
He remained on the farm until about 1830, when he removed
to Pittsburgh and engaged in the wholesale grocery business
on Liberty street, where he did anl active and extensive business
for ten or twelve years.
He was married to Mary C. McFarland (his second wife),
daughter of Robert and Ann St. Clair McFarland, at Monongahela City, February 3d, 1835, who died at her hlome in
Allegheny City, February lst, 1881, in her 78th year, and
whose remains are interred, with that of her husband's in the
cemetery at Mlonongahela City.
Alexander Wilson removed to Monolgahela CGty in the
spring of 1845, where he engaged in lnerchandising, and
gradually extended his business until he became the largest
dealer in the county in wool, grain, flour and produce generally.
The farmers will still recollect that he was always ready to
give them the highest prices, and sometimes even when the
state of the trade did hardly justify it.
He also opened and operated the then extensive coal mines
at the mouth of Min-rgo creek, and had, in connection with a
boat yard, some 100 to 150 men in his employ. He was among
the first that undertook to tow coal. to Cincinnati by steam,
having built the side-wheel steamer, Alexander Wilson, for
that express purpose. She was run in that trade for some time,
when her machinery was taken out and placed on the steamer
Mingo, a stern-wheel boat.
His residence and business house was the one which Mark
Borland has occupied for many years.  This house was cominenced to be built by the late IMVatthew Porter (grandfather of
2,4-~)Thie Old and New _Moiowngahela.
the Morrison Brothers) in 1833, but was in the spring of 1834
purchased by Robert AlcFarland, father-in-law of the deceased,
and by Ihim finished as a storeroom and dwelling, anld in which
he shortly died.
In the fall of 1.856 he located at Heyworth, Illinois, and in
December, 1857, removed his family to that place. There he
built and operated with others one of the largest flouring mills
in the state, which was afterwards destroyed by fire. He then
engaged in the grain businiess in which he continued to the
time of his death.  Under the pious instructions of a Christian
mother, he united with Rocky Spring Presbyterian church as
early as his 20th year.  On removing to Pittsburgh he united
with the first Presbyterian church during the ministrations of
Dr. Francis Herron., and at once engaged in active Sabbath
school work.   He afterwards became connected with the
Minersville Presbyterian church, now known as the seventh
Presbyterian church of Pittsburgh, and in it becaime a ruling
elder about the year 1838, in which capacity he served almost
continually during the remrainder of his life, wherever he
resided, including the church in Monongahela City and enlding
with the church at I-eyworth, Illinois.  He was especially
interested in the Sabbath school cause, to which work he gave
more than 30 years of his life, most of which time in the position of superintendent, and frequently had several Sabbath
schools in active operation at the same time under his conitrol.
IHe had two children by his first wife, both now living---
NMary E. Wilson is the wife of Dr. J. M. Todd, of Bridgeport,
Ohio, and William H. Wilson, of Pittsburgh, who has been
cashier of the West End Savings bank since its organization,
over twelve years ago.  HIe had six children by his secondwife --Eliza C., Robert M., Stephen, Ann St. Clair, M. Virginia and Susan E. Robert, Eliza arnd Susan are deceased, the
rest -still living.  Robert M. went out with the 94th Illinois
Regimnent Volunteers in the late war. HIe participated in all
the engagenments in which his regimnent was called to take part.
He was promoted to lieutenant in Company B, and after nearly
243The Old and Newt Aionongahela.
three years of active service, ending with the capture of Mobile
and its defenses, was on board the steamer St. CGlarles with a
portion of his regiment on their return to Spanish Fort from
Ship Island, whither they had guarded an installment of prisoners.  The night was dark, and being called suddenly on
deck, he walked overboard and was drowned; all efforts to recover his body being unavailing. Stephen is married and lives
in Minneapolis, Minn.; Ann St. Clair is the widow of Isaac N.
Coursin, and is living in -McKeesport, Pa., where she has two
married daughters; M. Virginia resides with her brother, W.
H. Wilson in Pittsburgh; Dorcas E. Wilson, widow of Robert,
lives at Leechburg, Pa., and has a son and daughter now
grown.
Alexander Wilson, the older readers will call to mind, was a
man of robust constitution, active and energetic, with remarkble business qualifications, prompt to decide and quick to act, he
pressed forward to the consummation of all he undertook. He
was pleasing and affable in his every day walk and conversation, and ever ready to do a kind act for a neighbor.  He was
full of enterprise and always in the advanlce to constitute
and work for the interests of the community in which he resided. He was generous and charitable, with a kind word for
all; but, more than all, he was an earnest, active and faithful
Christian.
After a busy and useful life, his strong constitution finally
gave way, and he died comparatively a young man.  As his
soul passed within tlle pearly gates he uttered as his last words
on earth, "Happy, happy, happy! "
Ite was interred at Heyworth, I11., but after the death of his
second wife, his remains were removed and laid by her side in
the cemetery at Monongahela City, where a beautiful monument, erected by kind hands, perpetuate their memory.  In
this beautiful city of the dead, overlookinlg her native home
and the scenes of his early life,
Rest here, blest saitnts, till fronm His throne
The morning break and pierce the shade.
244The Old and New - ionongahela.
THE GORDON  FAMILY.
Thomas Gordon and his wife came from Franklin county,
Pa., to Williamsport in the year 1810.  The former died September 29, 1823, aged 74 years, and the latter March 27,
1821. Their remains were interred in the old graveyard on
the hill, in their adopted town.  These were the parents of the
well known James Gordon, who figured so largely and so long
in the affairs of Monongahela City.  On his arrival in 1810,
there was not a house below the pike, or now called Fourth
street.  For years he was the only Presbyterian in the town.
From the first he took an active part in church matters, and
was the first collector of stipends for the Presbyterian congregatioTi after its removal from Horse Shoe Bottom.  He aided
both'by his means and labor in the building of the church on
the hill, in which he held a pew from the first to the last day
it was occupied by the congregation.  He organized the first
Sabbath Scool in the town, in the face of much opposition on
the part of the citizens, who claimed that children should have
at least one day to themselves. He was elected and ordained
an elder in the church October 15, 1835, and remained anl
elder in the same church until his death, covering a period of
over forty years.  Prior to the adoption of the constitution of
1838, Justices of the Peace held a life-time term in the office,
and James Gordon being appointed Justice of the Peace by
Governor Snyder, held the office until deposed by the operation
of the new constitution of 1838, by the provisions of which
this officer was elected by the people for a term of five years.
James Gordon was elected to this office in 1850, serving five
years, making in all a period of thirty-five years during which
lie acted as Justice.  He was elected Associate Judge, and
sworn into office March 8, 1845, and served five years.  He
was appointed by Governor Porter Register of Washington
county, and served in that office from March 3,:1839, to October 14, 1839, when George Morrison, Register-elect; took his
place.  On the resignation of Walter Craig in 1819, as County
18
245Tlke Old avd Ne X6w 3onoivahela.
Commissioner, James Gordon was appointed to serve until the
next October. He was a member of the Electoral College
which placed Andrew Jackson in the Presidential chair for one
of his two terms. He was always a Democrat; in the darkest
hours of that party he stood firm to its principles, believing to
the day of his death that they formed the basis on which alone
the country could prosper.  He was married in 1810 by the
Rev. Mathew Brown, to Miss Mary Ann Officer, of Washington, Pa., by whom he had nine children. He first lived in a log
house that stood on the site where now stands the McGregor row,
on Main street, in Monongahela City.  He lived and carried on
the tanyard now owned by the heirs of Richard Stockdale, on
Main street, and had his office in a little frame building adjoining
the house. He was also in the mercantile business for a time.
In later days he lived in the brick house on Fourth and Main
streets, opposite what is now called (1889) the Hotel Wilgus.
He had his office in the frame building now occupied by Alderman Williams.  J'ames Gordon was a trustee in Jefferson
College from 1825 to 1863.  He acted as deputy under Sheriff
Officer and during his term conveyed on horseback thirty-three
convicts to Philadelphia at an expense of nearly $400 for each
trip. Physically Mr. Gordon was a remarkable man, tall and
erect, and after he was eighty years old he would not hesitate
to walk eight or ten miles. He was a man of strong feelings,
and when his prejudices were aroused he was very apt to show
his Scotch blood.  He was a man of sterling integrity, and
died at the age of eighty-five years full of faith and bright
prospects of a glorious immortality.  Of his nine children, all
are dead excepting Martha and Elizabeth.  Thomas P., his
oldest son, graduated at Jefferson college in 1833, studied for
the ministry, had the degree of D. D. conferred upon him by
his alma mater in 1859, and died at Terre Haute, Ind., in
1865.  James M. H., the remaining son, studied medicine with
the late Dr. S. M. King, and practiced most of his professional
life in Fayette City, Pa., where he died August 24, 1883. We
quote from the Daily _Repablic(at of August 29, 1883, the article on Dr. Gordon's death:The Old and New lionongahela.             247
Dr. James Martin Hunter Gordon died at his late residence
in Fayette City, Pa., Friday, August 24th, 1883; his remains
were interred in Mt. Auburn cemetery.   His funeral was
largely attended by relatives and friends.  Drs. M. P. NMorrison and George A. Linn, of Monongahela City, Dr. O. P.
McKay, of Perryopolis, Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis, of Bellevernon, Dr. Mitchell, of Allenport, and Dr. Porter, of Fayette
City, acted as pall bearers.  The remains were dressed in a
black suit and encased in a beautiful silver mounted octagon
casket furnished by undertaker Curtis Reppert, of Bellevernon.
The deceased was born April 25th, 1825, in the house now
owiled by heirs of Richard Stockdale, on Main street, Monongahela City, then known as Williamsport. His father was the
late Hon. James Gordon.  The deceased was one of nine children, of whom  only Martha and Lizzie are living, and were at
the funeral.  i    *
Dr. Gordon was educated in boyhood in the public schools
of his native town; received his collegiate course at Jefferson
and Washingtoil Colleges, leaving the latter college in 1843.
~*  * ~   As far as the writer can ascertain, he commenced the practice of his profession in Temperanceville,
Allegheny county, and subsequently in Perryopolis, California,
Brownsville, and finally settled in Fayette City, where for over
30 years he had been a prominent and successful practitioner.
On 16th of May, 1850, he married Miss Margaret K. Church,
who, with four children, survive himi.  His son, John W., a
graduate of Jefferson Medical College, was his associate in.
business and will continue to occupy his father's office. A few
months after his marriage, with his brother-in-law, Solomon
Alter, Esq., Shesh Bentley, T. F. Watkins, and other Washington county adventurers, he crossed the plains to California.
The rough living and hard work incident to the new El Dorado
did not suit either his taste or health.  He returned to Fayette
City and found a host of friends to greet him, and in a very
short time had gathered up a lucrative practice.  At the outbreak of the rebellion lie went into the army with the firstlThe Old and NVew Vfononzgahela.
regiment of West Virginia volunteers. Being transferred to
Washington, D. C., he was appointed to hospital service on
Fourteenth street.  After leaving the united service he gave
his whole attention to the practice of medicine.   Naturally of
a vigorous and robust constitution, he was able to undergo a
vast amount of exposure.  Whilst in health he never refused
to respond to the wants of the sick, whether rich or poor. His
uncollected accounts attest the amount of service rendered the
afflicted without compensation.  The writer knew the deceased
from early boyhood and knew him well.  As medical men we
met each other often in consultation and otherwise he was a
safe counsellor and a wise practitioner.  In his profession, Dr.
Gordon was well read; in practice, was more than ordinarily
successful.  His manners were pleasing, and to the sick kind
and sympathizing.   In  general intelligence he was well
posted.  In combatting disease he had an unbounded store of
therapeutical knowledge, from which he drew in every emergency.  He was a fine Bible scholar, so much so that a few
years since he was able, in public debate, to defend its truths
successfully against one of the champion infidels. For his success on that occasion his fellow citizens presented him with a
beautiful copy of the Bible, from which Rev. Hollister read
during the funeral services, and which, no doubt, will long be
cherished as a sacred memento of the deceased.
In his professional career he was associated more or less
with his friends, Drs. A. M and W. H. Kiing, Biddle, Adams,
Corfnelly, Hill, Lank and Castner, who either studied or practiced'medicine in this city, all of whom have preceded him to
the spirit land.  He has run his race; his voyage of life is
ended; his usefulness has ceased; he has gone, and may we
not hope that in the unconscious hours, before dissolution, a
lucid moment may have flashed upon his soul in which he was
enabled to look upward and whisper, "My father," and to
hear the blessed response from within, " My son."
Mary, daughter of James Gordon, married Rev. W. P.
IHarshe, and died many years ago.  Elizabeth married P. 1-.
248,The Old and New Mfonong/ahela.           249
Rhinehard, of Lebanon, Pa., who for a short time printed the
Senti;n~el in the old room which stood where is now the Peoples
BanJ, in Monoilgahela City. He is now located at Lebanon, Pa.,
where he has grown into a large and lucrative law practice.
Martha married Solomon Alter, who established the Monongahela Re publican.  He died many years ago, and she still
survives him, making her home generally in Washington, D.
C. Sarah never married, and has been dead for many years.
Margaret, the oldest daughter, married Rev. James Sloan. He
was a brother of the Hon. J. C. Sloan, of Hopewell township,
Washington county, Pa., who was a member of the Legislature during the session of 1857.  The Daily Monongahela
Re6publican publishes the following notice of her death:
About 10 minutes before 10 o'clock, Monday morning,
(December 12th, 1881,) Dr. James G. Sloan entered his office
and found his nlother dusting the table.  She stopped as he
came in and said she felt a pain in her breast.  The doctor
asked her if it were in the neighborhood of her heart.  She
said " yes " and at once appeared to grow faint.  He assisted
her to lie down upon the lounge, and seeing evidences from the
absence of pulse at the wrist that the attack was serious,
went at once for Dr. Linn, who arrived almuost immediately.
The attack was at her heart, and failinig to rally, Mrs. Sloan
died at 10.30 a. m., some 15 or 20 minutes after her first mention of the sharp pain to her son.  Mrs. Margaret Sloan was
the widow of the late Rev. Dr. Sloan, a Presbyterian clergyman, for long years pastor of the Pigeon creek church, who
died in March, 1871.  She was in her 67th year, and was an
eminently pious mother in Israel.  She has gone to her rest
covered with the mantle of the sweetest and purest Christian
faith.  Mrs. Sloan was conscious up to her death; gave
messages of love to her family who stood beside her. To
Maggie, her favorite, she said, I "Live near to Jesus, Maggie; "
and when the end was near, she folded her hands and said,
"Lord Jesus prepare me for the end."  She has gone homeshe was ready and waiting-the tears that will come are forcedThe Old and New Monongahela.
back by the thought that God hath taken her; and he doeth
all things well. If ever a good woman lived and died, that
woman was Aunt Margaret Sloan-the term of endearment by
which she was called by so many who knew'her and loved her
with the highest esteem, and the greatest respect.
JESSE MARTIN.
The remains of Jesse Martin lay in the old graveyard. He
died May 27, 1848. He was elected an elder in the old
church on the hill in 1816, just after the first communion was
held, at which elder Hair, assisted by elder Benjamin Williams,
of Mingo, officiated.  He was one of the committee appointed
to select a site for a new church, which resulted in the choice
of the lot on which the church at the foot of the hill was
erected, and which is now used as a tenement house, on Coal
street and Church alley, Monongahela City. He served as an
elder to the day of his death.  Jesse Martin married Miss
Abba Gordon, sister of Hon. James Gordon, by whom he had
seven children. His son Thomas lived the greater part of his
life in St. Louis, Mo., where he died. James C. always resided in  Monongahela City, his native town, where he
died some ten years ago. His wife was Hannah Smith, a
niece of Rev. John Kerr.  James C. was elected State Librarian in 1849, by the joint committee of the Senate and House
of Representatives at Harrisburg.  Mary married Samuel
Scott and was the mother of James C. Scott, the druggist, now
deceased.  Margaret died about the year 1855.  Cynthia
married James Smith; both have passed away. Belle married
a Mr. McBride, near Washington, Pa., now deceased. She
alone survives of all the children of Jesse Martin.  Eliza married Jesse Teeple, both of whom are now dead. They lived
all their married life on part of the old Teeple homestead, in
Carroll township.  Jesse Martin was Postmaster at Parkison's
Ferry, now Monongahela City, for many years, being the successor of George Wythe, and was succeeded by W. S. Mellinger in 1841.  Jesse Martin erected and lived in the old
brick house on Main, below Second street, which has given
250The Old and Xew Mlonongahela.
way to the beautiful edifice built by his grandson, the late
James C. Scott.  He always carried on the boot and shoe
business, in connection with the postoffice; the olfice itself at
that time was not worth the labor it cost. The old market
house stood on Main street, in front of Martin's residence,
where, much to his annoyance, it attracted the boys, especially
in the early spring of the year, when playing "knucks" was
on the surface.
Beneath the shelter of this aniquated structure such youths
as Wash Spence, Samuel Kiing, John King, Robert MeGrew,
Sam Guthrie, Dick Roberts, Thomnas Martin, John Chess,
William  and Moses Devore and a host of other bloods were
wont to spend many an hour in playing marbles. Through the
influence of Jesse Martin, more than any one else, no doubt,
this unsightly and useless market house was removed to a site
on Second above Main street, in front of what is now the People's bank, where it could only annoy Constable Gabriel Silverthorn on the one side and the semi-occasional occupants of the
old red house on the other.  Here it remained until the next
generation with wisdom and forethought for the good of humanity, so far mutilated the pillars as to render it so dangerous
that the authorities were compelled to have it taken away, and
to this daV no other market house has ever existed in the town.
Even whilst the old one stood, such butchers as Daniel Cort,
Sammy Roberts, John Clemens, John McFeely et al, had
scruples against offering their beef for sale within its walls.
Hon. Jesse Martin, with Wallace McWilliams and James
McFarren as colleagues, represented Washington county in the
Legislature of 1842.  He died in St. Louis at the date above
stated; his remains were brought home by steamboat, and interred in the old graveyard on the hill where Elders Hair,
McFarland, Gordon and McGrew were also buried. Absence
from home or sickness alone prevented his attendance at church
and at the prayer meetings, where his plain petitions were
regarded as the outpouring of a heart filled with love and
gratitude to God. His peculiar voice, when leading in singing,
will no doubt be called to mind by many of the older citizens.
2510Ite Old and Ne     f     l
dale, Robert Van Voorhis, c., who, not alive to his finer
feelings, displayed a good deal of faith in old time NIHILISM,
having no disposition to ignore the doctrine well cherished
everywhere, that the "boy had no pent-up iTTICA to contract
his power" to roam undisturbed, not beinlg met in those days
at every crossing by the huge sign of danger as n1ow, bearing
the inscription, TRESPASSERS, BEWARE, or if, by chlance soyme
such bug-bear passed before them, it was quickly demolished
by the finger-stone-the boys' native arm of defence.  The
only thing that forced the old-time boy to a hasty retreat was
the bumble-bee and yellow-jacket. In this school, as already intimated, our friend Robt. Phillips was a scholar, anid mlethinlks
I cami see him yet, as he sat cross-legged on a split log bench,
with slate and pencil, intent on working out a sum in pounds,
shillings and pence, or provinig to those around him, in his
peculiar style, how he had solved the questiomi,'"that if two
and two rimake four, four and four would make eight."  In this
waste cabin an irishman  named Lewis first taught; lie was
succeeded by Sainpson anid Paull. Lewis was Irsh indeed, and
his pupils were very much inclined to imitate his tu,wa~y/, calliing
have harve, sounding the A long instead of A short.  The towii
was divided into two sub-districts, one beinig a double district.  The upper end, including Catsburg, attended school in
a fralne house which stood on the island near where the foundry
now stands, being owned at that time by the heirs of the late
Elias Watkins.  For one term at least this school was taught
by the late Thos. Collins, Esq.  Tlle lower end of towI1 occupied the old Methodist Church for a time as a school llouse.
E. A. Talbot seems to have been the first teacher in this lhouse
under the inew system.  He was succeeded in 1835 by a Mr.
Prescott.  Ile was a relative of the celebrated historian, aind
and was a man of more than ordinary literary attainments.
After grave consideration the Board of Directors determined
to erect in each district a brick or stone house.  The houses
built in town under this resoultion was the three-roomed house
of which the late Alex. Scott was contractor, still standing on
20Th e Old and New JlMonongahela.
TIHE McFARLAND FAMILY.
Robert McFarland and Anna, his wife, were well-known
personages in the Pigeon creek valley. He lived from his
youth on the farm originally called Bath Mills, but now well
known as the Van Voorhis homestead, lately the residence of
Isaac Van Voorhis, deceased, and now owned by his son, Dr.
J. S. Van Voorhis. Robert McFarland was a man of fine feeling, and of more than ordinary modest deportment. His attire
was always neat and of black cloth. He and his wife were
not often absent from church, and in consideration of his excellent Christian character he was at one time elected an elder
in the Presbyterian church, but he never felt satisfied to take
the ordination vows, prefering to do his part as a private member.  His house was a resort for the young and old, and his
hospitality knew no bounds.  He manufactured salt in the
works now gone which stood just below the spring house. The
well was of the artesian nature, and to this day water constantly flows from it. With one exception, these were the only
salt works in the county.  He sold the farm to Isaac Van
Voorhis, who took possession April 1, 1834. Although his
goods had all gone, Mr. McFarland never left the house until
Mr. Van Voorhis arrived, to whom he gave the keys in person. McFarland purchased the house, then unfinished, now
occupied by M. Borland and others as store rooms, on Main
street, Monongahela City, from Mathew Porter, grandfather of
Dr. M. P., Joseph and A. P. Morrison, Esqs.  Having completed his dwelling and store room, he purchased a fine stock
of new goods in the Eastern cities, where he traveled in the
old stage coach and from the fatigue and exposure of which
journey he never recovered.
He died in 1835, and his remains were interred in the old
graveyard on the hill, where also those of his wife were afterwards laid to rest. His wife was also a McFarland-Ann St.
Clair McFarland.  She had several brothers, of whom were
Thomas and John. The former lived for many years in the,252Tl e Old and New Jifononqahela.
old mansion still standing on the bank of the Monongahela,
near lock No. 3. He moved to the west and died many years
since. This house was in early days well known to the
pioneers, being a kind of headquarters for the leading spirits
of the day.  In this house Major McFarland died, after being
wounded at the attack on General Neville's house during the
whiskey insurrection of 1794.   His remains were interred in
Mingo graveyard, and the circumstances attending his death
are almost fiorgotten, save by those who cherish the record of
the past.
John, or Uncle Jack, as he was familiarly called, was a maln
of peculiar traits of character; in demeanor a perfect gentlemail,
a fine talker, a good philanthrophist, a bachelor of considerable wealth, popular among all classes of the people.  He was
a merchant by inclination as well as in fact.  He passed many
of his latter days in what was then called the far west, in trading among the Indian tribes.  In more than one instance he
had to abandon his post, barely escaping with his life. At one
time he made good his flight by skating on the ice over 20
miles.  At another time he was overtaken in his flight by the
Indians, and was scalped by them, as they supposed; but to
his delight the Indians discovered to their chagrin that it was a
false scalp in the form of a wig which Uncle Jack had been
accustomed to wear.
lie enjoyed that joke (on the Indians) as well as many others
of which he was very fond.  His many Indian stories seemed
to the masses as much exaggerated, but subsequent development of the true Indian character, since his day, give warrant
to their truth.  At his death the late Isaac Van Voorhis and
Elijah Teeple were appointed administrators of his estate,
which consisted chiefly in a large amount which he claimed
from the government as losses incurred by the depredations of
the Indians. After a long delay the claim was collected and
distributed among the heirs.  He and a man named Lyons had
a coal works on the river just above the mouth of Wolf Harbor
run, not far below Lock No. 4.  They were among the first to
25354Te Old and Yew ilonorngahela.
load coal in flat-boats by means of an incline from the pit to
the river.  They soon found that the enterprise would not pay
and so abandoned the work.
Robert McFarland left two daughters, Eliza and Mary.
Eliza married Rev. S. M. Sparks, one of the early pioneers in
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She died long ago and
was buried in the old graveyard where are the remains of her
father and mother. She died in Pittsburgh, and her body was
transported over land, as steamboating was an uncertain matter
in those days. She left one daughter, wife of the late Dr. Wm.
H. King.  Mlary, the remaininlg daughter of McFarland, married Alex. Wilson, of whom we have written in another place.
Robert McFarland was no politician, but never failed to vote,
even when he had to go almost half way to Brownsville to do so.
He and his friend Isaac Van Voorhis cast the only votes in old
Fallowfield township for Adams in 1824, when he was elected
President over Jackson. The result in the township created
no little merriment at the expense of the two lone voters, but
the general outcome changed the tune of the other good old
boys, who had shouted so loudly for the "IHIero of New
Orleans."
THE McGREW  FAMILY.
The names of J. and R. McGrew were long familiar to the
older citizens of Williamsport, now Monongahela City.  They
were citizens of the town prior to 1816, but from whence they
came, and in what year, we have failed to discover.  The firm
of J.  R. McGrew for long years carried on the hatter business
on the corner now occupied by the Odd Fellows' building.
This firm made the wool and fur hats for the whole surrounding
country, and to the wear and lasting of their wool hats there
seemed to be no end, and such a quality of the article was not
always valued by the chaps who never got a new hat until the
old one was worn out.  It was the wear, not the style, the
purchaser looked at.  It was to this firm the country boys took
their rabbit skins to exchange them for hats, and were rejoiced
254The Old and Vew ionolongahe/la.
when each would bring the value of eight cents.  The rabbits
were skinned from heel to head, and the skin inverted and
drawn carefully over a forked stick so as to have it dried in a
perfect state. Hats both fur and wool were often taken to this
firm to be ironed over and their shape remodeled after each
one's own fancy or some stray idea of style.
James was the older of the two brothers. Though intimately
associated all their lives, it is said they never had any difficulties, one with the other. James McGrew had, by his first
wife, one daughter, Matilda, who married Rev. Samuel Hudson,
a distinguished minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church.  His second wife was the widow of Thomas Gordon,
a brother of the late Hon. James Gordon, who had two
daughters by her first husband: Margaret, now deceased, wife
of Captain Samuel Reynolds; and Maria, widow of Robert, the
junior member of the firm of J.  R. McGrew; she also is
deceased, having died in Monongahela City, September lst,
1884.  By his second wife, James McGrew had one daughter,
who married John Gilfillan, of West Alexander, Pa., but resided most of their lives in Parkersburg, W. Va., where
Alvira, his wife, died about 1886 or 87.  Robert, son of
James McGrew, was a well known merchant, and died many
years ago in the prime of manhood.
James McGrew was elected and installed as an elder in the
old church on the hill in April, 1816, and served during his
lifetime.  He was a member of the building committee of the
old church at the foot of the hill.  He was appointed a justice
of the peace by Governor Wolfe, but never took out his commission, yet he was always called Esquire McGrew.
THE BEAZELL FAMILY.
BENJAMIN F. BEAZELL
Died August 27, 1886. He was born in Rostraver township,
Westmoreland county, Pa., January 2, 1796. His grandfather
and grandmother came from Bazil-on-the-Rhine, in Germany,
255256           The Old and _New AXonongahela.
and located in Berkeley county, Va., in 1760. Mathew and
Catherine made acquaintance on board the ship during the voyage to this country, and were married at Georgetown, now in
the District of Columbia, before settling in the town now
known as Martinsburg, W. Va. While residing here, William
and Eliza (twins), Mathew, Christian, John and Luke were
born to them. In 1774 MIathew Beazell and family left Virginia and settled first in a cabin on land now owned by James
Moore, known at this day as Moore's woolen factory, and now
owned by a man named Kelly, who bought it from the heirs of
Samuel W. Power. The farm is on the West Newton road between Bellevernon and that town in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, Pa.  The old factory has long since been
converted into other uses.  In 1775 Beazell moved to a cabin
on the land recently sold to Andrew Graham by Wm. Jones,
in the same township. Here he purchased what was then
known as a " location site," containing 290 acres.  On this
farm the remainder of his children were born, viz.: Catherine,
Barbara and Joseph, the latter died when a mere lad.  Here
Mathew died, but in what year we have overlooked. His
tombstone will tell; it was placed over his grave, which was
near the West Newton road on what was then known as the
Pentecost farm, now owned by either John Rankin or Joseph
Power.  For many years this stone was the wonder of the
stranger.  Some years since it was removed by kind friends to
the graveyard at Fell's church.  His wife died in 1815, at the
house of Robert Stevens, on Redstone creek in Fayette county.
The wife of Stevens was her daughter. Mathew's son Mathew
died on the farm now owned by David Finley, near the town
of Webster. His remains were buried at Fell's church. His
wife was a Miss Neal, whose second husband was William
Sampson, the father of the venerable James Sampson, of Horseshoe, in Carroll township, Washington county.
The late Mrs. Belar, of Monongahela City, was a daughter
of Mathew Beazell. John Beazell married Mary Sutherland,
moved to the neighborhood of Warren, Ohio, where he died,Th,e Old and New Nonongahela.
and all of his family except one. Luke married Elizabeth
English, lived in different parts of the "Forks of Yough,"
and died on the farm now owned by a man nained McGogney,
adjoining the well known Hassler farm in Rostraver township.
His remains were interred at Fell's Church. He had sons
Mathew, Joseph, John, James, Lemuel and William, all of
whom are dead except William. His daughters were Margaret,
married to Van Reeves, and died not many years ago at Coal
Centre, Catherine, widow of James Ailes, Mary, widow of A.
R. Smith, and Eliza, who never married. Mrs. Ailes resides
in California, Pa.  Mrs. Smith and Eliza are residents of West
Newton, Pa. Joseph married a Miss Spharr, sister of John
Spharr, of Allen township, Washington county, Pa.  Joseph
died a few years since in the old McCrory house, on Maple
creek, in the same county, where his widow still has her home.
James married a Miss Springer, whose grandfather emigrated
from Stockholm, in Sweden, and settled on the farm called
" Springersburgh," near Bellevernon, in very early days.
James and his wife both died at their home on part of the
original Springer homestead.  Their remains are in the Bellevernon cemetery.
Mathew died not long since in Rostraver.  Lemuel died in
Webster not long ago.  John was married to Jane Patterson,
at the residence of the late George Houshold, in Rostraver,
by the Rev. HIiram Miller, November 25, 1853, and died in
Bellevernon, Pa., January 13, 1879.  His wife still lives.
William alone renmains, anid has long lived in Fallowfield,
Wasbington counrty, near John Witherow's blacksmith shop.
He still looks hale and hearty.  Elizabeth, one of the daughters of Mathew Beazell the older, married John Sturgess, removed to Kentucky and then to Missouri.  Christirla inarried
John Fell.  She died in the house occupied lately by John
Coughenour, and owned by the heirs of Wm. Flannegan, in
Rostraver.  William, the remainling son of Mathew Beazell
the older, was the father of Benjamin F. Beazell, the subject
of this sketch.  William married Rebecca Fell in a part of the
2575ThSe Old and New lMonongnahela.
house in which Benjamin F. lived so long and in which he
died.  William also died in the Coughenour house.  He had
twelve children, four of whom were boys, viz: Mathew, William, John F. and Benjamin F., of whom we are writing.
Mathew died many years ago. He was the father of H. B.
Beazell. John F. lived for a while in Webster, but the latter
part of his days was passed in Uniontown, Pa., where he was
for years editor of the Pennsylvania Demnocrat, published in
that place.
Benjamin F. was married to Sarah Sampson November 17th,
1820, by the Rev. John White.   She was a daughter of
William and Dorcas Sampson--Dorcas w:as a Neal, sister of
James Sampson's mother. Her father settled on Long run and
was killed by the Indians. At the date of this marriage Sampson lived at the old "Black HIorse Tavern," now owned by
Lew Weaver, and situate in Rostraver. This and the Red
Lion Hotel in Redstone, were the two celebrated stopping
places between Pittsburgh and Uniontown in old times.  The
issue of this marriage was a large- family of boys and girls,
among whom was Dorcas, married to John Darr, of Rostraver;
William married Elizabeth Biggs, of Sewickley township,
Westmoreland county; Thomas died, aged 14 years; James
married Jessie Woodruff; Mary I. and Rebecca remained at
home; Benjamin F. married Mary D. Welling, of- Ohio, and
is now a prominent minister in the Methodist Episcopal church
of the Pittsburgh conference; Sarah Emma is the wife of Dr.
J. A. Mink, of Topeka, Kansas; Samuel is a farmer and John
a lawyer, of Chillicothe, Mo.; James and William  live in
Rostraver.
Benjamin F. joined the Methodist church in 1828, in the old
church which stood on the site of the present stone building
known as Fell's church, not far from the town of Webster.
Rev. John Watterman was the minister at the tilne of his joining.  His wife joined the same church in a short time after
Benjamin did.  Benjamin F.'s grandfather Fell donated a part'
and his father the remainder of the lot which now belongs to
258The Old and ATew llononaahela.
the church. The Beazells and Fells hewed the logs for the old
church; they whip-sawed the material for the stairs and pulpit.
The floor was made of split logs and so were the seats; the
building presented anl uinfinished appearance.  This was so
plain to the stranger that at the first time Lorenzo Dow
preached in it he used the following expression in his prayer:
"Oh, Lord! here is a house from all appearances has been
building for 40 years, and not yet finished;" and he prayed the
Lord to put it in the hearts of the people to finish it and revive
his work.  Richard Ferguson did the clerking for him on this
occasion, singing St. Martin's fast as he could.  This was in
1818. B. Bascom, the celebrated divine, preached in this old
church on more than one occasion.  The present stone church
was built in 1834.  The board of trustees under whose supervision it was built consisted of Hugh C. Ford, Samuel Jones,.Manassah Reeves, Benjamin Thomas, Luke Beazell, Nathaniel
Lender, Benjamin Stewart, Randall Johnson and Benjamin F.
Beazell, all of whom have passed away.  The carpenter work
was done by Townsend for $400; the plastering by Michael
Dravo.
The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Charles Elliot.
Among the many distinguished divines who preached in the old
and new churches we may mention Bishops McKendry and
Morris and Revs. Charles Cook, J. G. Sansom, Jamison, Smith,
the Millers, and Rev. B. F. Beazell, son of Benjamin F. Beazell.
William, father of Benjamin F. Beazell, laid out the town of
Webster in 1835, the late Joseph Van Kirk doing the surveying.  Benjamin F. Beazell built the first house in the town of
Webster, being known as the Rev. J. G. Sansom mansion, on
the lot lately occupied by the residence of Dr. J. T. Krepps.
During the first five years of his married life Benjamin lived on
the Fell farmr.  In 1825 he rented what was known at that time
as the " Daly " farm, on which he lived two years.  He then
moved to the Black Horse Tavern and kept store for Samuel
Walker for a time; then bought out Walker and ran the store
himself until in 1835.  In the spring of 1836 he moved to his
25960The Old and -New Iolbnongahela.
house in Webster, where he carried on merchandising and boatbuilding until 1841, excepting two years that he moved back
to the Black Horse Tavern. In 1844 he purchased the old Fell
homestead, in which he lived to the day of his death. In 1835
he built for Captain Shrodes the steamboat J[oravi,an.  He
built keelboats and flatboats for the lower trade, as it was then
called.  For himself he built a trade boat--loaded it with a
variety of goods, as flour, cherry bounce and boiled cider. For
the latter he paid $3 per barrel and sold it for $5, making a
nice profit.  He sold his whole cargo on the way and at Cincinnati, and walked home, carrying the proceeds.
Father Beazell, by his example and precepts, was a power
for good in whatever community he resided.  He was a walking encyclopaedia of religious experience.  His interest in the
church was only exceeded by his zeal in the cause of Christ.
"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord."
JAMES K. MARSHALL.
On a plain marble slab standing on the brow of the hill in
the old graveyard can be seen the name of James K. Marshall,
who died March 24th, 1856, aged 81 years. He lived most of
his life on the farm  now owned by his son-in-law, William
Blyth's heirs on Pigeon creek, in Carroll township. His florid
complection, white hair, robust form and pleasant manners will
be called to mind by many of the present day.  His farm in
early day was known as the Joseph Hall farm, aid was secured
by Virginia entry about the time the Deckers took possession
of their large tracts.  The old house still standing was erected
by Joseph Hall-it being a hewed log house with clapboard
gable ends shows that it was the successor of the primitive
house built of round logs with clapboard roof.  His wife was
one of the Hall family. I-He had several children. James
settled in Beaver county, but in after life we learn he moved
to the west.  He was a man of fine natural ability, and had
onlly a limited education, yet in debate he was able to hold his
own with the late talented R. F. Cooper, Esq., Dr. James
260The Old cand Netw Mononga]hela.          261
Scott and Dr. Frank Shugart, with whom he had many an
intellectual contest in school house debating societies.  Whilst
the others exhibited a flow of Rhetoric, he was content to
present his views in a plain, logical, common sense manner.
He died March 19th, 1892, at Lyndon, Kansas.  The other
son was a soldier in the late war of the rebellion, and is still a
fixtuie on Pigeon creek.  Their daughter, Susannah, in 1835,
married a man named John H. Marshall, who died at Hazel
Dell, Lawrence county, Pa., August 10th, 1887, in the 77th
year of his age. He was born in November, 1810, on what is
known as the David Quail farm, near Washington, Pa. His
wife died in April, 1886.  They left eight children.  The
other daughter, Nancy, married Enoch Hays, and died at her
home near Steubenville, Ohio, in  March, 1892, at an
advanced age.
THE TEEPLE FAMILY.
Christopher Teeple was born in New Jersey.  He came to
this country in 1775, and remained only a short time. Leaving
his son Isaac, the old gentleman removed to Canada, where he
died. Isaac purchased a hundred acres of land, known now
as the Teeple homestead, in Horseshoe, in Carroll township.
He bought it from Massah or Maish Case, who was the father
of Leonard Case, Sr., who was the father of Leonard Case, of
Cleveland, Ohio.  Isaac Teeple had' five brothers and two
sisters, but none of them, excepting one sister, settled in the
neighborhood.  Isaac married Catherine Castner on the farm
owned by the Castner heirs in Horseshoe, on the 22nd day of
November, 1788.  Isaac was born near New Brunswick, New
Jersey, August 28, 1760.  His wife was born in Greensburg,
Pa., or near that place, January 24, 1772.  She was a daughter of Peter and Mary Magdaline Castner.
Peter was the father of Michael and John Castner, the latter
of whom was the father of the late Daniel Castner, and grand_
father of B. W. Castner, Esq., now residing oni the Castner
homestead in tIorseshoe.  Isaac lived from his first coining to
19Th,e Old and New) ifonongahela.
the old Presbyterian Church lot, and the one on the island
long since passed into the river.  In the latter house we think
Thos. Collins was the first teacher. These houses were occupied for the first time in the winter of 1836, having been built
during the preceding summer. We feel almost certain that
Nimrod Gregg, brother of Col. A. T. Gregg, taught one of
the schools in the double house during this winter, and that a
Mr. Dunn taught the other one.  Mr. Dunn was a Yankee
schoolmaster. He was fresh from Yankee land, and full of
new ideas in the school business. He was soon impressed
with the fact that he was in a strange land and surrounded by
habits and customs requiring no little moral courage to break
into, and as much physical nerve to introduce a new departure.
He took in the situation readily. He came among them as
iJfr. not 2i/xster Dunn, and as such he would have them recognize him.  He intended to teach, not keep school; that he
only had one rule, and that was obedience to Ahis will.  His
rule was founded, no doubt, on the moral lesson taught in the
words of the poet:
"I am Imonarch of all I survey;
My right there is none to dispute;
I make the little ones to obey,
And manage the big ones to boot."
Which being translated, means that he would use the rod to
the smaller and his boot to the larger scholars.
Mr. Dunn's career as a teacher was a success. His Scholastic attainment and gentlemanly deportmenlt, together with
natural kindness, won for himn the esteem of all with whonm he
came in contact. He was the first to introduce prizes as rewards
of merit, and the first school prizes ever given were taken by
three sisters of your worthy President.
By the Act of April, 1837, the town of Williamsport was
incorporated into a borough under the name and style of
Monongahela city, and thereafter the schools were placed under the control of a.Board of Directors elected exclusively by
the voters in the new borough.  The late T, R. Ilazzard suc21262           The Old and New fXonwongahela.
to this country on the Teeple farm, where he died December
7, 1828. His wife died January 9, 1849, and was buried with
the remains of her husband in the Columbia graveyard, but in
later years both remains. were removed to the Monongahela
cemetery. Isaac had a large family of girls and boys. Jemima was born October 26, 1790.  Peter and Christophertwins-were born August 6, 1792; Mary, September 4, 1794;
Joseph, December 13, 1797; Elijah, January 7, 1799; Elizabeth, February 27, 1801; Isaac, February 11, 1803; Michoel,
May 9, 1805; Catharine, March 29, 1807; Christena, April 9.
1809; Sarah Ann, October 29, 1812; Theresa, April 4, 1814.
Christopher and Peter were twins and named after their
grandfathers.  They died in the state of Indiana.  Joseph
married a Miss Lash, February 7, 1820, near Bentleysville,
attended mill on Pigeon creek for a short time, kept store in
Beallsville, then removed to Stark county, Ohio, within eight
miles of Massilon. He had two sons and five daughters.
Jemima, March 11, 1819, married Andrew Burgett, of Burgettstown, Washington county. Both are dead, leaving one
son, now living on the home place, adjoining the town.
Mary, March 11, 1819, married Samuel Rutan, who lived for
many years on the farm now owned by W. J. Manown, situated
on the Monongahela river just above the old Brown ferry in
Rostraver township, Westmoreland county. After the death of
Rutan she married Samuel Davis, a brother of General John M.
Davis, United States marshal for Western Pennsylvania under
Jackson. Samuel Davis was the father of Samuel Davis, of
the town of California, on the Monongahela, and of Mrs. Eliza
Allen, wife of the late George W. Allen. The late Fortier
Davis was a half brother of Samuel and Eliza.  Mrs. Samuel
Davis nee Teeple died some years ago on the Newkirk farm,
near Bentleysville.
Elizabeth Teeple, MWarch 30, 1819, married Peter Smock.
They are both dead. Their sons, Thomas and Leroy, reside in
Wisconsin. They had five daughters of whom we have not aniy
information.  From what we can learn Peter Smock was theTke Old aqnd New ilonon,gahela.           263
son of Abraham Smock, who married Polly Teeple, a sister of
Isaac Teeple, the older, she having remained with him after the
father removed to Canada.  This Abraham Smock and Polly,
his wife, had four pairs of twins in succession, viz.: Peter and
Sallie, John and Barnett, Nettie aud Jennie, William  and
Jacob.  This said Abraham  Smock's father was Leonard
Smock, and he had several sons, viz.: Abraham, Barnett, John,
Leonard and Cornelius.  Barnett was the father of Mrs. Mary
Corwin, lately deceased in Bellevernon, Pa., and father of the
late Henry Smock, whose wife was Betsy, daughter of the older'
Peter Shepler, of Rostraver.
Christena Teeple married Casper Castner, brother of the late
Daniel Castner. They had two children, Lewis Cass and Kate
E. Lewis is in the drug business and Katie has long been
one of the corps of teachers in the Hiland public school of
Pittsburgh.
Sarah Ann Teepl]e died in her 26th year, and Theresa in her
seventh.  Isaac Teeple married Margaret Williams December
9th, 1839. Isaac at first settled on a farm in Richland county,
Ohio.  HIe traded this farm for the one on which he died,
situated in Carroll township. Philip Crabb owned this farm at
the time of the trade, but the late Edward Sprowls, the shoemaker, resided on it for many years, Mr. Crabb never having
resided on it.  He lived for long years in Fallowfield, where
he died.  Edward Sprowls was the father of Obediah and
Isaiah Sprowls, of Bentleysville.  Isaiah Was a scholar in the
old Calhoon school; his father living at that time in the old
house on the farm  formerly owned by Abe Hull, but now by
one of the Shannon boys.  Isaac Teeple, soon after his marriage, mnoved to the farm where he died. He first occupied
the old lhouse, but afterwards built the present brick house.
His wife died in 1868. They had 10 children. One boy and
two girls are dead.  Kate C. married Clark Preston, near
Ginger hill. Emma S. married Alcinus J. Hess, near the
same place.  Of Ada, Theresa, Sarah Ann and Josephine, we
have no knowledge as to marriage.  Thomas W. resides inll
Neosho county, Kansas, and Theodore resides on the old home.The Old and New Monongahela.
Michael Teeple, named after Michael Castner, was born on
the homestead in Carroll, and lived all his life on part of it.
He married Eliza, daughter of the good Jlesse Martin, so long
connected with "the old church on the hill."  They had four
children. Jesse M. is dead; he was in the 22nd Regiment
Pennsylvania Cavalry, in the late war, under Cajt. James Chessrown. Clinton married Margaret, daughter of Win. Wickerham,
a granddaughter of Adam Wickerham, proprietor of the lower
end of Williamsport, that part of the town known originally as
Georgetown. Thomas B. married a Miss Giles. Kate B.
married Robert, son of West Frye, of Finleyville.
Elijah, son of Isaac Teeple, the older was born on the homestead January 7, 1799, and died February 5, 1873. HI-is first
wife was Louisa Reagan, of Westmoreland county, Pa.  They
had several children. Cynthia married John Yohe, and died
many years ago. John M. died in childhood. Ulysses R. resides
in Monroe county, Iowa.  Isophine married John Van Voorhis September 15, 1859, and resides in Monongahela City. John,
her husband, was born September 6, 1835, on the old Van
Voorhis homestead.
John owns the old homestead farm called "iSicily" in the
patent, where the Captain located his family in October, 1786.
The patent, signed by Benjamin Franklin, was granted to him,
bearing date MIarch 17, 1787, under a survey granted Josephl
Decker August 26, 1769, and deeded to Daniel Van Voorhis
February 7, 1785.  In those days deeds were often executed
before a patent was issued.  This deed demonstrates beyond
all doubt that the Captain came to this country in 1785. John
and Isophine have six childen, viz: Charles E., Lulu J.,
Carrie E. Cynthia Serena, William T. and Eva I.
Elijah Teeple's second wife was Dorcas, sister of James
Sampson, of Carroll township.  Their only child by this marriage was James Harvey.  His third wife was Elizabeth
Thomas.  Elijah first lived after marriage and kept store in
the frame house now owned by Mr. Robert Nelson, on AMain
street, above Dr. Linn's dwelling, in Monongaliela City.  lle
264The Old and New 1lfion~onqahela.
moved from this house to a brick house on Railroad street, a
short distance below the planing mill of Neel  Blythe.  He
removed from this house to a frame house on the Pike, above
Chess street, now ownled by William  Hanna.  He finally
moved to the stone house about one mile up the Pike, where
the late Alexander Campbell resided for many years, and afterwards owned by a man the name of Beazell.  In this house
Elijah died.
GENERAL JOHN M. DAVIS.
Catherine, daughter of Isaac Teeple the older, was born on
the Teeple homestead, March 29th, 1807.  Married General
John M. Davis by the Rev. Boyd Mercer, May 17th, 1825.
Made "their appearance" at church in Centreville, Washington county, Pa., after a wedding trip to Ohio on a visit to her
sister and brother Joseph.  General Davis was born in Lancaster, Pa., January 10th, 1783, and died November 28th,
1853, in Pittsburgh, in that part known now as the East End.
General Davis was a military man by nature, and cultivated
the military spirit throughout his life.  He was appointed by
Governor Thomas McKean a captain in the militia of the district
of Franklin and Cumberland counties, his commission bearing
date of May 3d, 1804. He was commissioned as 2d lieutenant
in the 2d regiment United States infantry by President Jefferson May 3d, 1803. He was appointed 1st Lieutenant in the
samle regiment by President Madison, January lst, 1810, and
was commissioned captain in the same regiment by Madison
May 30th, 1813; and for gallant conduct during the siege and
battle of New Orleans he was appointed major by brevet
December 23d, 1814. He enlisted while a resident of Lancaster, went to New Orleans part of the way on foot and part in a
barge. He served during the war under General Jackson; was
wounded by a ball in the foot, and in the face by a bayonet, at
the famous battle of New Orleans, and was personally complimented by Jackson for his brave behavior in that battle. At
the close of the war he went to the state of Georgia, where his
265Thle Old and New Xonongahela.
excellency, John Clark, commissioned him captain of the
Independent Blues, attached to the 46th regiment, June 7th,
1823. Altogether he was in United States service 14 years,
having also been in the Seminole war. His wife, to the day of
her death, retained in her possession all of his commissions,
and many autograph letters from General Jackson to her husband.  After his return from Georgia, Davis settled in Washington county, Pa.
On the election of General Jackson as President, he was
appointed Marshal of the Western District of Pennsylvania,
over David Lynch, of Allegheny. In January, 1839, Jackson, with A. J. Donaldson and wife, attended by servants,
started to take his seat, traveling in his own conveyance. They
came to Washington, Pa. via Wheeling, and were persuaded
there to go east via Pittsburgh. General Davis having heard
that he had gone out 6f his way, started from Beallsville,
where he had resided since his marriage to Catherine Teeple,
and overtook the President-elect at a hotel formerly known as
the Merchant's Hotel, on Wood street, Pittsburgh.  He found
at the door a large crowd eager to get a sight of the new President, and among them was David Lynch, Davis' competitor
for the Marshalship. Davis was informed by those having
charge of the door that he could not be admitted, which announcement seenled to please Lynch very much. Davis, not
discouraged, wrote his name on a slip of paper and asked one
of the doorkeepers if he would please hand that to the Presidentelect. He said yes, and the moment the name met the eye of
Jackson he exclaimed, " Certainly, admit my old friend." He
greeted him with a hearty shake of the hand, saying, " How
are you, Major, my old friend and fellow soldier, with whom
I have fought many a battle, and how is little'Andy,"'
(Davis' son A. J.) As Davis entered the door amidst the
crowd, some one cried out, " Lynch, that is too old a soldier
for you." Although a committee from Pittsburgh had met
Jacksonl at Washington and escorted him to the city, yet he,
through the advice of his friend Davis, retraced his steps to
266The Old and New Ji/onongahela.
Washington, accompanied by Davis. He stopped with Davis
for dinner at his residence in Beallsville, where over five
hundred people were assembled, most of whom partook of the
hospitality of Davis.  Three kinds of wine, made by Mrs.,
Davis, were on the table, and Jackson declared the wine to be
the best he ever tasted.  He was dressed in a plain black suit,
with a hat a la mrode stove pipe.  Davis accompanied him to
Uniontown, promising his wife to return that evening, but
enjoying the company of Jackson so well, he hesitated about
going home that day, but the President said, "Friend Davis,
you promised your wife to be at home this evening and you
must return.:"
Shortly after taking his seat Jackson appointed Davis marshal of the district, which he held during both terms of his
administration, and on his retirement from office Davis was retained one year under the administration of Van Buren at the
special request of his friend Jackson.  Davis was appointed by
Governor Shultze justice of the peace in Washington county
April 3, 1828, which office, as well as postmaster at Beallsville,
he held when he removed to Allegheny City to enter upon his
duties as marshal.  He had been for some time in the mercantile and tannery business before his removal from Beallsville.
In 1834 he removed to the beautiful residence near East Liberty, now on Penn avenue, and owned at this time by his son,
Dr. A. J. Davis. At this place he died November 28, 1853,
and here also his wife Catherine died February 28, 1886.
Davis received his title as general from the position of majorgeneral of the Allegheny County Militia, in which office he
served for many years.  His first wife was Nancy McGirk.
They had no children. By his second wife, Catherine, he had
two boys and two girls. John, Minor and Theresa Maria died
in early life. Ann Elizabeth was born July 1, 1827, in Beallsville, and died at the homestead in East Liberty July 10, 1853.
A. Jackson was also born at Beallsville, and is now one of the
most prominent physicians in Allegheny county.  He never
married, and still (1893) resides at the homestead in the full
enjoyment of health and wealth.
267T/ie Old and New Mlonongahela.
THE FRYE FAMILY.
The Speers and Frye names were introduced into the wilds
of Western Pennsylvania about the year 1772. Henry Speers,
the older, with Regena Froman, his wife, settled on the farm
now known as the Gibsonton Mills, on the Monongahela river
below Bellevernon. Abraham Frye and family located on the
opposite side of the river. He owned and afterwards gave to
his children, among others, the farms now owned by John
Conrad at Lock No. 4, by Joseph Ryan, William McMehan,
Smith Frye, James Sampson and William Rogers. The Speers
and Fryes were intimately associated in everything that pertained to each other's comfort, and this fact, in those days of
trial and danger, was no small affair.  In going from place to
place or in the field these settlers were compelled, for personal
safety, to carry fire-arms so as to meet the attacks of the Indians. At one time the girls and boys of the Frye family having gone across the river to milk their cows, were overtaken by
a storm. They sought shelter under a tree, and whilst there
one of their number was killed by lightning.  In the midst of
this sore trouble the Indian's whoop was heard in the distance,
warning them of a new danger. Leaving the dead one, the
others sought security beneath the floor of an old cabin. They
were hardly quiet in their new retreat before the Indians
entered the cabin, in which they remained all night, dancing
and whooping, unconscious of the prize within their grasp. It
was a long night to the prisoners beneath the floor, but when
morning came the Indians departed and the milkers escaped to
their dwelling, where the sad story was told. The bones of
this dead one no doubt was the first of the Frye family to bleach
on the banks of the Monongahela.  We are able to trace the
history of two sons and one daughter of Abraham Frye, Sr.
Their names were Abraham, Nancy and Samuel.  We cannot
determine whether Benjamin Frye, one of the executors of the
older Henry Speers, was a brother of the last named or not,
268IThe Old and New Mononyqahela.
but his wife being a daughter of Henry Speers leads us to infer
that he was a brother of Abraham Frye, Sr.
Abraham Frye, Jr., son of Abraham Frye, Sr., married a
daughter of Henry Speers, and had a large family.  In this
way we make it out that he and Benjamin were brothers and
married sisters-daughters of Henry Speers.  Their sons were
Thornas, Benjamin, Abraham, Smith, Luke, Johnson, Noah,
James and Elijah. He lived and died on the farm now owned
by the late Mrs. Joseph Ryan, near lock No. 4, on the Monongahela river.  He built the old house which was torn down by
James S. Jones, to give place for the present building. We
think his remains are in the old Frye graveyard on the hill,
above the upper end of Charleroi.
His son, Benjamin, resided for many years on the farm now
owned by the heirs of John Carson, lately deceased.  Benjamin also ran an old-fashioned water grist and saw mill, in what
is now known as Scott's hollow, which lead from his farm to
Pigeon creek, in Carroll. The enltire mill at one time was
washed into Pigeon creek by an imaginary water spout; the
very millstones were taken into the creek, a mile distant.  He
removed west very many years ago.
Abraham's son, Abraham, known in his day as West's Abe.
lived on the Jacob Crabb farm, in Fallowfield, now owned by
the heirs- of Washington Cooper.  He kept an Inn where
travelers were entertained and musters of the militia were held
on the first Monday of May in each year until the good old law
was repealed.  After the building of the state road from Pittsburgh to Brownsville, in about 1832, the traveling on this route
was very large for that day. Four-horse coaches were at times
on regular days run on this road, but the principal travel was
by horseback. Frye's Inn was a famous stopping place on this
road. The mail was never carried on this road-It -was carried
from Beallsville via Bentleysville, Williamsport, Rogally, c.,
to Pittsburgh. Even after the building of the Pike the Williamsport people depended on the cross mail via Rogally for their
principal mail.  Benjamin Frye removed many years ago to
Sandusky, Ohio, where he died at an advanced age.
269T2ie Old and New iJIonongahela.
About 60 years ago Smith Frye moved to Illinois; was one
of the first settlers of Peoria city; was Sheriff of Peoria county;
was a fine talker; and was regarded as a shrewd, popular and
successful business man and politician.  He was killed in a
personal encounter with some individual at the same place
where his son, Jacob, was killed in after time.
Luke lived near the old Baptist church in Horseshoe. His
wife was a West. Luke was the father of West Frye, Esq.,
who had long been a resident of Finleyville, in Washington
county, where he died March 12, 1891. He was also the
father of the wife, Elgy Van Voorhis, who many years ago
lived at the old distillery, which is now owned by W. J. Markell, in Carroll, on what is known as Yerty's run. Elgy is
still living, but his wife is dead; he has long been one of
Greene county's most wealthy cattle dealers. West Frye married Christina, daughter of the late Daniel Van Voorhis.  She
was a sister of Mrs. Sallie Cooper, of Mingo, and AMrs. B. F.
Bentley, of Monongahela City.
Johnson, another son of Abraham Frye, died at Ringland's
old mill on Maple creek, now known as the Twilight mill. He
was the father of A. P. Frye, who died on the old Cooper
farm, at the mouth of Maple creek, a few years since. His
remains, along with those of his wife, who died afterwards,
were interred in the Monongahela cemetery. A. P. Fry was
the father of Johnson, of whose whereabouts we do not know;
also the father of Hester, wife of B. Parsons, of Maple creek,
and H. B. Frye, a well known business man at this time in
Allegheny City. The oldest son, Noah, died many years ago
in Bellevernon.  Noah, son of Abraham Frye, married Lucy
Colvin; he lived in East Williamsport, better known as Catsburg, in the first ward of Monongahela City. Noah was killed
in a coal bank near Dagg's ferry.  Thomas, another son, married a West and lived all his life on the farm at Lock No. 4,
now owned by John Conrad. The old house in 1889 was torn
down and in its stead John Conrad has erected a beautiful
mansard roof frame building.  It is one of the most attractive
270The Old and iNew Monongahela.
residences in the valley, and its design and finish reflects great
credit on the owner, architect and builder.
Thomas' son Resin now resides in the town of Bellewood
below Monongahela City, although his large landed estate is
situated in Fallowfield and Carroll townships. He is one of
Washington county's most successful farmers. His wife is a
daughter of the late John Eckles, a well-known mechanic in
early days. She is a sister of Hamilton Eckles, a well-known
river man, whose wife was Lucinda, daughter of the late Samuel Reeves, of Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, who
lived and died on the farm now owned by his son Samuel.
One of Thomas Frye's daughters married John Wilson, who
resided near the site of the old Horseshoe meeting house and
was a wealthy and successful farmer. He is deceased. Another
daughter married Noah Jones, of Bentleysville.  Rev. O. P.
Hargrave's wife is also a daughter; her former husband was
Stephen Thomas, long known in his connection with Lock No.
4. Another daughter married Andrew Hazelbaker, now deceased. The remaining members of the family of Thomas
Frye we cannot trace.
Nancy, daughter of Abraham Frye, was the wife of the late
Noah Speers, who laid out Bellevernon, and whose history in
detail will be given in another place.
Samuel, brother of Abraham Frye, occupied the high lands
of the Frye family. He built and died in the old frame house
that stood near the new one erected by Jackson Frye, and now
owned by James Sampson. Samuel married Christina, daughter of Henry Speers, the older. They had several sons and
daughters. Isaac moved to Illinois, where he died many years
ago.  Samuel married Elizabeth, better known as "Aunt
Betty," daughter of the late Captain Daniel Van Voorhis by
his third wife, and only sister of the late Isaac Van Voorhis.
They lived in the old log house which stood near the brick
house built by their son Solomon, and on the farm now owned
by William  Rogers, it being a part of the original Frye homestead.
271Tl,(e Old and -Ne  Jon,loonoqaheia.
ceeded Dunn as teacher, and carried out more fully new improvements in the art of teaching.  He was a fine scholar, a
kind friend and a generous benefactor.  To him, more than
any one individual, is this community indebted for its well
known educational spirit.  He taught the first classical academy in the town. Among his pupils were many who are now hold-'
ing or have held important positions in church and State. Under his teachings a new spirit on the subject of education
seemed to take hold of the people, giving rise to a desire for
an advance in the cause, with the selection of teachers of a
higher order of literary worth.  Shortly after his retirement
from teaching in the old house, the question of examining
teachers as to their qualifications was raised, and to render the
matter practical, the late Dr. R. F. Biddle and A. W. Davidson, editor of the Carroll Gazette, were appointed a Board of
Examiners.
Among the mainy other teachers in the old double house
were Joseph S. Morrison, now a distinguished meniber of the
Pittsburgh bar, and R. F. Cooper.  Cooper had been among
Hazzard's earliest pupils, at the age of sixteen having read at
a public exhibition his masterly literary production entitled,
"Mutability of all things."  To Ihim  and his teachings your
speaker owes his earliest thirst for literature.  As a teacher,
penman, writer, printer, editor and soldier, he had few equals.
His criticism at the early part of the late war on the tactics of
the United States army, as printed in the Philadelphia iBSrth/
Amerzican, elicited commendation from  the highest military
authorities of the nation.  On the graves of Hazzard and
Cooper let us not forget to strew flowers and shed tears of
regret over their early demnise.  Friends, teachers, though
dead, thy virtues live.
The rapid growtll of the borough soon nlecessitated the
erection of a new  school building.  In the year 1852 the
Board of Directors, consisting of our venlerable friend, Cyrus
IJnderwood, as President, and the late Alexander Wilson as
Secretary, with Joseph Alexander, H. H. Finley, Wilson
222The Old and Xew _Monongahela.
Samuel and wife had a large family of boys and girls. Solomon married a daughter of Parker Scott, Esq.  She died a
few years since in the town of California, on the Monongahela
river. Her husband was one of the old fashioned mechanics
who work to the scribe. He acquired considerable reputation by the publication of a volume of miscellaneous poems.
He is dead.   Nancy married Samuel McCrory, whose
mother was a daughter of the well known elder, Henry Speers,
and grand daughter of the older Henry Speers, and sister of
the late Apollus Speers, of Speers' Ferry. Nancy's husband
died in 1852, leaving her with a large family. She is deceased.
Lewis, another soil of Samuel and Elizabeth Frye, married a
sister of John Shanton, of Carroll township, and has been dead
many years. Henry is a wealthy farmer in the vicinity of Bentleysville. His wife has been dead some years. Samuel resides
in or about Bentleysville.
Louisa, one of the daughters, married John Shanton, Esq.,
Ursula was Jefferson Redd's first wife, and Sallie was his
second wife, all of whom are dead.
Bettie married E. T. Cooper, son of F. K. Cooper, of the
Dutch settlement in Carroll.  He built the stone distillery just
below the upper wharf in Monongahela City.  Shortly after it
was in operation it was destroyed by fire.  Of late years it has
been converted into a knitting factory.  The Doctor and wife
are now residents of Beaver county.
The father, Samuel Frye, of these children, died some 60
years ago; but " Aunt Betty" lived until August 18th, 1875.
Rebecca, sister of Samuel Frye, married Henry Shepler, who
lived and died in the old house that stood where the new residence of William Rogers was erected, near what is known as
Cooper's mill, on Maple creek.
Katie married William Croskey, of the vicinity of Cadiz,
Ohio. Sarah married John Van Voorhis. In 1812 he moved
to Muskingum.  The history of John and Sarah is given more
in detail elsewhere. Mary Frye married Daniel Van Voorhis,
whose history is given in the Van Voorhis Family.
272The Old and New  ifononaghel/,a.        273
Abraham Frye, better known as Ringland's Abe, was born
in the old house before mentioned, on the old Frye tract of
land, on the 12th day of January, 1793. He married Isabella
Ringland September 13th, 1813, in the old house that stood
above the present residence of his son-in-law, Abram Colvin,
on the Brownsville road, in Fallowfield.  In the same house
was born his wife, on the 5th day of April, 1796. Her father,
John Ringland, was in his day regarded as the largest land
holder in Washington county. His children all died early, excepting Mrs. Frye, who, at his death, inherited his large
estate.
Abraham was one of the best of men. Naturally goodhearted, was generous to a fault. He never learned any trade,
yet he was skilled beyond his day in almost every trade.  He
made of iron or wood whatever he needed.  In the absence of
an anvil he used his ax driven into a piece of wood, and with
this improvised anvil before the kitchen fire he made many a
useful article, even at the expense of annoying the cooks. Ile
was general pewter-spoon moulder for the neighborhood, and
his moulds, then so convenient, are still in existence. He shod
his own horses, made his own grain cradles and sickles, his own
files; made and operated the first threshing machines in the
county, or anywhere else, a part of which can still be seen; he
cut the stone for and built his model spring house; cut and put
in place the stone in the house in which he and lhis wife lived
and died, and in which his son Smith now resides.  In a word,
he was a man of extraordinary genius. He always lived on the
farm where he was born.  The remains of both are interred in
the family burying-ground on the farm.  Soqn after his marriage he went to Tennessee to see if he could find a better location, but returned in a very short time and told his wife: "INo
better place than home; we will build a new house," and the
sequel speaks for itself. His sons Samuel and John both married
daulghters of Parker Scott, Esq., and both of them have nearly
always siine marriage lived on the old Ringland mill farm on
Maple creek.  Their wives are deceased.  Christina, daughterThe Old and Neu) MXonongahela.
of Abraham Frye, married Abram Colvin. They reside in the
new brick house near the old Ringland mansion on the Brownsville and Pittsburgh state road.  Smith lives on the homestead
where his parents died. Jackson recently sold to James Sampson his part of the home farm, and removed to Southern Kansas. His first wife was a daughter of Garret Wall, Esq., of
Allegheny county, and his present wife is a daughter of the late
Moses Colvin. Henry, Abraham and Noah live in Tennessee.
Noah is dead.  Sarah Ann is the wife of Thomas McGowan,
of Lock No. 4, who has been identified since his youth with
the Monongahela Navigation Company.  Clarissa married
Alexander Allman, and is dead. Isabella is the wife of E. T.
Van Voorhis, of the vicinity of Kansas City, Mo.
DR. MATTHEW PORTER MORRISON.
At five o'clock on Tuesday evening, November 10th, 1885,
this excellent man passed peacefully away, at his home in
Monongahela City, Pa. He was aged 58 years, 10 months and
27 days.
Doctor Morrison was born on the farm situated on the NMonongahela river, near lock No. 3, in Elizabeth  township,
Allegheny county, December 14th, 1826. In April, 1837, his
father having sold his farm removed to Monongahela City with
his family, and occupied the house owned by the Doctor and
occupied by the family ever since.  His father,died a few
months after he settled here, on October the 16th, 1837.
He received his first academic trainiing at the acaderny
of the late T. R. Hazzard,  Esq., and E.  S. Blake.
He entered Washington College, where he graduated in the
class of 1847. HIon. James G. Blaine, Hon. John H. HIampton, Esq., of Pittsburgh, Alexander Wilson, Esq., of Washington, were members of the same class.
After reading a course of medicine with the late Dr. Samruel
M. King, he graduated at Jefferson Medical College in the
year 1851.  He subsequently attended and hel(l a diploma
froin a Boston institution, where. he took a special course on
274Thle Old and New Jizonongahela.
diseases of women and children.  Soon after his graduation as
a physician he was associated in practice and as a partner with
Dr. R. F. Biddle, in this city, where he has practiced continuously till within a few weeks, except during his four years'
service in the Union army during the war for the suppression
of the rebellion.  His practice of medicine covers about 34
years, being at the time of his death the senior physician of the
place, and of course with a very large clientage.
He joined the army August 6th, 1861, as assistant surgeon
of (the old 13th) Col. Rowley's 102nd Penn'a Vols.; was promoted to surgeon with the rank of major, September 12th,
1862, and was mustered out June 28th, 1865, being at that
time surgeon of the second division of the sixth corps.  He
was a member of Post 60, G. A. R.
Of his worth as a friend, his judgment and sagacity as a
physician, his learning as a scholar, his integrity and nobility
of character in the walks of civil life, and of his devotion to
his country as a soldier, his warm hearted friendship, his stern
adherence to right living and thinking, of the warm  place he
held in the hearts of the families which he visited both as
physician and friend-of these things we need not speak---they
are the choicest memories of this sad hour in a thousand hearts.
Dr. M. P. Morrison brought to his profession a mind
thoroughly familiar with the principles and practice of medicine.
He honored  the  profession  in which  lie was eminently
successful.
His death brings a genuine sorrow, brightened only by tile
words which his lips framed, almost with his last breath,
"Not my will but Thine."
THE DEATH OI' JOSEPIr S. MORRISON, EsQ.
Died in Pittsburgh, Pa., April 20th, 1886, inl the 62nd year
of his age.  He was buried in the Monongahela cemetery
April 22nd, at 2.30 o'clock. The Dac.ily Repub,talican, says:
The death of this estimnlable gentleman, following so soon
that of his brother, the doctor, comes with peculiar sadness toThe Old and New Jlionongahela.
his many friends. He was one of us-he never wearied of
Monongahela, his happiest moments were spent on the hills of
his birth, and he loved the trees whose history he knew and
whose companionship he sought as if they were his elder
brother.   The river never lost its charm to him; and coming
up on the train, his chosen seat was on the shore side, watching the sun-lit sparkle of its waters and the ripple of its waves.
A botanist of reading and much lore, each pleasant day at
home found him among the flowvers and leaves; but in the
special work of arbor culture he found chiefest delight, and a
tree to him was a book, a picture, a poem-with Thompson he
sang:
Welcome ye shades, ye bowery thickets hail!
Ye lofty pines, ye venerable oaks;
Delicious is your shelter to the soul.
HIs COLLEGE LIFE.
Joseph Scott Morrison was a graduate of Washington College
of the class of 1844, having for his classmates Rev. J. T.
Brownlee, D. D., Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis, Rev: W. F. Hamiltoil, D. D., Hon. M1. B. Hagans, Hon. J. H. Wallace, and
others, during the Professorship of Dr. McConaughey, Profs.
Alrich, Lee, Milligan, Ferguson.  From the  iclass history"
we quote the following sketch:
Morrison was more distinguished at college for proficiency in
the exercises of the literary society than the class-room.  The
treasures of English literature were treasures over which he
gloated with delight. When the names of McCauley, Carlisle,
Tenneyson, Bancroft, Motley and Longfellow were names less
familiar to the public ear than now, it was his pleasure and
pride to cultivate familiar acquaintance with their works.  As
an essayist, he was perhaps unexcelled by any of his fellowstudents during the later part of his collegiate course.' On two
occasions he represented his literary society on contest--once
as an essayist and once as a debator.  On the former occasion
he was successful, and on the latter represented his society with
distinguished credit. In person, Morrison was tall and slender.
1,17  IThe Old and New Mlonongahela.
When poised in the balance many of his class-mates could
weigh him down, but none of them looked down from so lofty
a height as he. It was a conceit with which he was wont to
please himself, that in future years he would grow out in largeness as he had already grown up in height; but the latest reports do not bring to view as yet any marked symptoms of the
anticipated physical development. After graduation he studied
law in the office of the Hon. T. M. T. McKennan in Washington, Pa., and from the time of his admission to the bar till the
present has been engaged in the practice of his profession in
the city of Pittsburgh. To Morrison, thus far, belongs the sole
distinction among his class-mates of having remained proof
against the captivating power of the sex.  He is the bachelor
of the class. Of this there were no special premonatory symtoms while he was a student. The arrows of the little winged
archer, which fly as thickly through a college atmosphere as
elsewhere, seemed quite as likely in him as in others to find
their mark.
On commencement day, when the time was drawing near for
the announcement of his name, he whisperetl in the ear of his
class mate, who sat hard by, his determination to draw inspiration for the effort before him from the pair of large bright
eyes that were sparkling near one of the columns back in the
audience.  Other evidences were not wanting of his liability
during student life as readily as any of the "'' lords of creation "
to be under " woman's control."  But his independence is
still maintained.  His class mates are no doubt ready to extend
unto him their congratulations or sympathy, from  whichlever
fund he may choose to draw.
The daily papers of Pittsburgll, noting his death, speak of
the deceased in the highest terms as a gentlenman, a scholar,
and a wise counsellor at law.
A TENDER MEMORY.
Joseph S. Morrison, Esq., while home on Sabbath day last,
paid his usual afternoon visit to the cemetery, and on his return
20
277  Tl e Old and -New YMonongahela.
remrtarked to his sister, Mrs. Alexander, "It is very beautiful
in the cemetery, Eliza, very beautiful, and the birds seem so
happy; I felt as if I would like to stay up there all the time."
How prophetic! To-day he is laid there, amid the flowers and
the birds and the trees-to stay all the time.
[From Monongahela Republican.]
DEATH OF MAJOR A. P. MORRISON.
Major Andrew Porter Morrisonl died at his office, No. 155
Fourth street, Pittsburgh at 12:40, Wednesday noon, November 5th, 1890, in his 61st year, of myocarditis, or weakening
of the muscles controlling the heart action.
The details of his death are thus told by Attorney C. E.
McIlvain:  "The Major and myself were accustomed to sit in
my office, which is on the floor below his, and together read
the morning papers, possibly to chat a bit over the news, then
he would go up to his office.  Wednesday we both went down
on the train together, and when I got to my office he was
standing at the door waiting, and we both went in together;
about nine he remarked,' this election is a surprise in many
respects,' and passed on up stairs.  Soon after a number of
young attorneys gathered in, and we were talking over the
election when I heard a rapping on the floor above, comning
from Major Morrison's room, and knowing that it was certainly
done for a purpose, I stepped into the lhall and there met the
letter carrier, who said,'that gentleman up stairs is quite
sick.'
"I went at once, and found Mr. Morrison on the floor in front
of the fire, a large book under his head and his heavy cape coat
drawn over his shoulders.  He was unconscious; his spectacle
case was on his table, the paper folded and laid beside it, and
to all appearance feeling sick and chilly, he had lain down by
the fire, too weak to do more, and while there he had made the
alarm I heard. Summoning some friends from below, I at once
dispatched for his relatives, and for physicians, calling I)r.Thee Old and New Jonongahela.
Fleming, who was, with Dr. Patten, his consulting physician.
The major recovered consciousness, was placed on a cot, and
seemed easier.  He calmly announced. however, that he was
dying;  He said to me,' Tell Eliza and William, and all my
friends that I am thinking of them now.' When Dr. Fleming
arrived he was recognized, and said,' This is the end, doctor,
of which you spoke; I am dying now,' and he said this as
calmly as if he had said, I am going to sleep. He died at
twenty minutes to one o'clock, his last words being' My sister
Eliza.'
Mr. McIlvaine was with him all those last hours, and we
have given these datails because it is well for the world to
know how peacefully a good man dies.
Andrew P. Morrison, the fourth child of John and Margaret
Morrison, was born November 2nd, 1829, on their farm, then
known as Leechburg, on the Allegheny county side, just south
of lock No. 3.  The family came to this city in 1837.  After
graduating from Washington College he read law with his
brother and with Judge McKennan in 1852-4.   He practiced
law in Pittsburglh with Joseph from 1854 till 1861, when he
entered the Union army.  He enlisted May lst, 1861, in
Company A, Ninth Reserves; was made a corporal, and promoted July, 1862, to be sergeant major;.was wounded badly
at South Mountain; was mustered out with his regimenWt May
12th, 1864.
He was a member of Duquesne Post, No. 259, G. A. R.,
Pittsburgh, and that post to-day attends the funeral services of
two members, Major Morrison and Dr. Benham, both graduates of the same college and both Union veterans.  Comrade
Morrison, it will be remembered, was the installing officer of Post
60, in our Opera house last winter, when Colonel Tom Stewart
was here.  He was historian of the Ninth Regiment at the
dedication of the Gettysburg monuments, and his address on.
that occasion will be published by the state.  It is a careful,
conscientious and accurate historical paper.
Major MIorrison was married September 11, 1866, to Re279lThe Old and New ffon,onyahela.
becca S. H. Davis, of Pittsburgh, who died in September
of 1877. More than a year ago, being warned of the approach
of this heart trouble, he relinquished his law practice, refused
all new business, and was rapidly closing up his docket.
A. P. Morrison was a man of the highest type; the moral
atmosphere which surrounded him was pure, the example which
he set was helpful. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church,
upright, honorable, courteous.  His instincts were all gentle,
his manner urbane, his friendship true as gold; his career was
that of honorable manhood, respected citizenship, unquestioned
morality and professional integrity.
MRs. ELIZA MoRRISON ALEXANDER,
The beloved wife of William J. Alexander, died suddenly at
her home, on Wednesday morning, June 28th, 1893, in her
73rd year.   She had been suffering from the weakness of advancing age for the past few years, and on Thursday evening
fell to the floor from an attack of cerebral hemorrhage, and
died very much as her brothers had died.  "Aunt Eliza," as
she was known to her nearest friends, and as she chose to be
called, has lived evenly and quietly a life of love, walking in a
pathway made as smooth for her as affection could suggest, in
a thousand ways, and giving in return the unaffected devotion
of an tinselfish heart.  This is the whole story of her life-she
was gentle and good and considerate of others she illustrated
her Christian faith by fidelity to its teachings.  Her's was a
kindly soul, and her's a home-loving heart--home-loving in a
marked degree.
Eliza Morrison Alexander was born January 11th, 1821;
married to William  J. Alexander November 14th, 1844, by
Rev. John Kerr.
THE MORRISON FAMILY.
Eliza is the last of the family, and when she is laid to rest
its annals will be closed. John Morrison was born in Ireland,
28(Th.e Old and New lMonongahela.
near Londonderry, in 1789; emigrated to the United States in
1812, and settled in the neighborhood of Mingo creek church
on February 29th, 1820. He was married to Margaret Porter,
daughter of Mathew and Elizabeth Porter, residing on a farm
about three miles from this town.  About the time of his marriage he purchased a farm  to which he and his young wife
moved.
The farm was situated on the Monongahela river, 21 miles
from Elizabeth, in Forward towT!ship.  On this farm all their
children, Eliza, Joseph, Porter, Andrew, Jane and James, were
born.  In the spring of 1837, having received a satisfactory
offer, the farm was sold and he removed to this town with his
family.   He purchased the real estate for a home which now
becomes the decedent estate of his oldest daughter, Mrs. Eliza
Alexander.  John Morrison died October 16th, 1837, leaving
his widow with five children.  She died September, 1882.
HON. T. R. HAZZARD.
IDied on Monday morning, September 3, 1877, at his late residence in Monongahela City, Pa., Hon. T. R. Hazzard.  He
was taken ill while at church Sabbath evening.  He died of
disease of the heart.  The deceased was born on the 25th day
of October, 1814, at Oxford, in Shenango county, N. Y. He
emigrated from Jamestown, N. Y., to Williamsport, now Moriongahela City, Pa., in the year 1836.  After teaching a
classical academy for a time he returned to Allegheny College
at Meadville, Pa., and completed his collegiate course. Among
his classmates were ex-Governor F. H. Pierpoint, of West
Virginia, and ex-Governor Reuben E. Fenton, of New York.
He studied law with Judge Marvin, and on his return to Washington county, Pa., was admitted to the Washington bar at
November term, 1840. At the time of- his death he was the
oldest member of the Washington bar, excepting A. W. Acheson. He was married by Rev. Dr. Ralston to Miss Harriet
Hamilton, daughter of the late Joseph Hamilton. His wife and
four sons survived him, but his wife passed away March 10,
281The Old an,td New fIfononqatea.2
fhompson and Alex. Scott as members, resolved to build a
new school house, which gave the town the brick house across
the street from this house. The lot was purchased from Henry
Fulton. The house cost $7,000. Johnson Baird and Wm.
Wilson did the stone and brick work, whilst the veteran contractor, Wm. Coulter-with us to-night-did the carpenter
work.  It was opened for school in the fall of 1853.  Andrew
Brown, now of the "Forks" and T. R. Hazzard, just returned
from West Newton, were the first teachers, the former having
been the last to teach in the old building. Too much credit
cannot be given President Underwood for his untiring industry
and foresight in moulding public opinion and carrying the enterprise to a successful issue.  He was born in Baltimore, Md.,
August 28, 1807.  He first settled in this place in 1834,
where he has resided ever since, excepting three years he
served as recorder of the county.  He and H. H. Finley are
the only surviving members of that Board of Directors.  We
are glad to see them both here to-night.  Kind friends, faithful Christians, human benefactors, we bid you God speed.
The Union school was organized in the fall of 1854, witl
James H. Moore as Principal, and Miss Webster, Miss Bebee
and Miss Hodgson as assistants. Mr. Moore is deceased.  His
wife, formnerly Miss Webster, is now Principal of one of the
public schools of Indianapolis.  This Union school, under the
supervision of a principal, was a new thing among the people,
and for a time the plan had many prejudices to overcome, but
ere the close of the first term it was pronounced a success by
the bitterest enemy.  Owing to many diversified circumstances
the principal and teachers were very often changed, a policy
of questionable propriety.  Recently, however, the reverse obtains.  We cannot recall the names of all who have in this
building taught school.  We record here that Prof. Jennings
was the last principal in that building, and that his reputation
is such as insure us in openly declaring that his career has been
successful, and that the very walls of the old building join in
echoing his praise.
23The Old aGnd New Monongahela.
1887, in her 64th year.  His little Willie, Nettie and Martha
had preceded them to the spirit land. He lived, with the exception of a few years, all the time in this city since his first
arrival in Monongahela City, where he was the first academic
teacher, and to him his adopted city owes the largest measure
of that educational spirit which is so characteristic of its citizens.  He was especially versed in polite and classical literature, and as a teacher he had few superiors.  To him are indebted for their taste for learning many who are now active
and prominent participants in the great field of literature and
science. He was a finished musical scholar, and was for many
years a leading musician in the Presbyterian church of Monongahela City.  He was principal of the Bellevernon academy
from 1842 to 1845.
Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis, of Bellevernon, Pa., in his centennial address in 1876, said: i" This academy was started in the
spring of 1842.  T. R. Hazzard, Esq., an experienced teachel
formerly of New York state, was the principal. The institution closed in 1845.  At the institution, among H1azzard's students, were Chief Justice G. W. McElvain, of Ohio; Hohn. D.
M. Letterman, of Pennsylvania; Dr. J. H. Storer, of West Vir
ginia; Dr. J. C. Cooper, of Philadelphia; James L. Finley, ol
Westrmoreland county; Neal G. Blaine, brother of the distin:
guished prime minister of Maine; William Fuller, of FayettP
county, and now a distinguished business man of Philadelphia
Dr. Robert Niccolls, of Bloomington, Ill.; William G. John
son, of Pittsburgh; Major R. C. Walker, of Helena, Mont.
and others whose names we cannot recall. Hon. T. R. Haz
zard long resided in Monongahela City, where, as cournsello
and citizen, he enjoyed the confidence of his fellow-men."
T. R. Hazzard, Esq., was for many years editor and pro
prietor of the Republican.  In it he always fearlessly defende(
and advocated the right. He was a chaste, intelligent anm
forcible writer, expressing his ideas in short but well finishe(
sentences.  He was a great friend of literary institutions, anm
was always in the front when the good of literature was i
282Tlhe Old and New bfonony/ahela.
question. He was devotedly wedded tq his adopted city--ever
ready to aid whatever might redound to its progress. He was
a democrat when he came to Washington county, but in the
hard cider and log cabin campaign of 1840, he was converted
to the doctrines of the great whig party at a mass meeting at
Wall's, near the old William Penn school, in Elizabeth (now
Forward) township, at which meeting W. W. Irwin-Pony
Irwin, and Frances C. Flannegan were the principal speakers.
He held on to this faith until the dissolution of the party in
1852, when he became thoroughly engulfed in the unparalelled flood of knownothingism  which swept all old political
organizations out of existence.  After that party had worked
out its mission, he became identified in 1856 with the republican party and adhered to it to the day of his death.
His son, Chill W., is the accomplished editor of the Monongahela Rejpublican, and as an editor he holds position in the
highest rank.  For over 30 years that paper has been under
his management, and to its influence Monongahela City owes
its greatest measure of progress.   He passed through the late
war with a conduct that not only elicited the commendation of
his superior officers, but of the government, as shown in his
being breveted major for meritorious service.  He served as
postmaster for 12 years in his native town, and retired from the
position without a blemish on his integrity as a man or ability
as an officer. His name has often been mentioned in connection with high civil office, but he has never been a candidate
otherwise than in the Grand Arnly of the Republic, where he
has held the highest position. Joseph DeVernon, another son
of T. R. Hazzard, passed through the late war with the loss of
an arm.  He is now all orange grower in Forida.
Thomas L., the youngest son, is a prominent physician in
Allegheny City, and a member of the Medical Faculty in the
Western Pennsylvania Medical College, located in Pittsburgh.
John J., the remainining son, was connected with the banking
business for many years in Pittsburgh, but where he is now
engaged in business we are unable to state.
283TheLe Old and New MJIonongahela.
T. R. Hazzard, Esq., was long a member of the Presbyterian Church, and cherished its precious doctrines as an epitome
of that Holy Bible, of which he was a devoted student.  He
always took an active part in the prayer meetings and Sabbath
school, of which he was many years Superintendent. On the
last Sabbath of his life he attended church in the morning, sat
at the communion table at noon, attended his Bible class in the
afternoon; went to church in the evening, was taken ill while
there; when the morning came he was in Heaven. The smile
that graced his countenance at death tells the story " that he
heard the music within," and as he passed from earth, heard
the voice of the Savior saying, "Come ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you." He was
buried in the beautiful cemetery overlooking his adopted city.
The deceased was often called to stations of honor and trust
by his fellow citizens, who never regretted their choice, for,
when his work was done, he surrendered these trusts and received the plaudit "I Well done thou good and faithful servant. "
Our friend has gone to the grave with true nobility stamped
on his brow. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention
of 1873-4, in the proceedings of which he took an active and
prominent part. His speeches, delivered in his usual calm and
dignified manner, grace many pages of its Journal, and to his
learning and sound judgment we are indebted for many of the
valuable ideas incorporated in the new Constitution.  His domestic virtues cannot be more beautifully portrayed than by
quoting his own words as uttered by himself on the occasion of
the death of his colleague, Col. Wm. Hopkins, a member of
the same convention:  "He (Col. Hopkins) was an affectionate and true husband, a kind parent, a considerate neighbor, a
faithful friend, a sound and wise counsellor, and an exemplary
christian gentleman. He was charitable to the poor, and foremost in all benevolent and christian enterprises. By his death
his immediate neighborhood will lose the inspiration of his
public spirit, his interesting, highly respectable and intellectual
family his kind words of wisdom and advice, and the rich
gifts of his social nature. "--. s. v.
284lThe Old and New Monongahelda.
Socrates died like a hero, but friend Hazzard like a Christian.  In the full consciousness of his condition, with his characteristic coolness, he declared "This is the end," and passed
away, " like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him,
and lies down to pleasant dreams."
DR. WILSON DEAD.
Dr. William Lowrie Sparks Wilson, agent for the Pennsylvania railroad at Monongahela City, superintendent of the telegraph office and agent for Adams Express Company, died at
his residence, Third ward, Monday morning, September 6,
1886, at 10:30.
Dr. Wilson was born at Merrittstown, Pa., June 26, 1834.
He read medicine with his uncle, Dr. Wilson, an old practitioner then located at Beallsville, and entered on the practice
of his profession at Youngstown, Ohio, removing after a year
to East Liverpool, Ohio. He engaged there also in the drug
business, but came to Monongahela City in 1859, where he
opened a drug store and soon became widely known as a popular pharmacist.
He was married to Miss Allicia Mitchell. at Beallsville,
December 27, 1853, by Rev. Hiram Winnett, and was blessed
by twelve children, James Allen, George Reed, William Park,
A. C. Sampson, Mary, John Robert, Ida King, Dora Bell,
Emma, Nellie, Frank and Wannita.
The doctor was made superintendent of the first telegraph
built to this place, and in 1863 sent over the wire the first
message from O. C. House, now dead. When the P., V.  C.
railroad was finished to make connections here in 1873 the
doctor was made its agent, and sold the first ticket to Major
P. A. Foster, now in Florida.
He was a notary public, and served four terms, declining
reappointment.  He served several terms as school director,
two terms as burgess and served in the council of the old borough. He was connected with the Presbyterian church, and was
two years superintendent of its Sabbath school. His death was
285The Old and New ionongahela.
the result of degeneration of the kidneys, which had crept upon
him slowly for nearly a year. He died suddenly while sitting
on the porch at his residence, having walked out there a few
minutes before to " get air and be quiet," as he expressed it.
He had taken an early Sunday morning walk to the station the
day before.
Dr. Wilson was a man of kindly, cheerful manner. He had
a flow of good humor. The best portion of his life was made
up of those little nameless acts of kindness which every person
whom he met will now recall. A cheerful salute sprang to his
lips when he met you, and in his cordial greeting there was
honest warmth. Monongahela City had few men more respected, more loved, more useful; none more obliging, and no
one will be more universally missed. Rest in peace, good
doctor -
Your friends will feel the woe,
Your's be the touch of joy.
DR. R. F. BIDDLE.
Dr. Robert F. Biddle, a well-known educated physician hailing
from Washington, Pa., where he obtained a collegiate education and where he studied medicine under Dr. Stevens, commenced practice in Monongahela City. He was a man fully six
feet high, of rather heavy build, slow in motion when taking
a walk or mounted on horseback he leaned forward. He
appeared mostly to be absorbed in thought, or deep study.
Large eyes and a prominent forehead. He was a man of robust
constitution, capable of great endurance, and of strong, vigorous intellectual qualities. He very soon obtained the largest
practice of any physician ever known in the Monongahela Valley, which he maintained until his health and physical strength
gave way. His charges for medical services were notedly
moderate, and it was said by persons who knew that he was sc
negligent in making entry of his visits to sick chambers thait
one-third or more of such visits were never charged at all. Noi
was the waste of the doctor's hard earning confined to his very
286The Old and New ifonongachela.         287
low bills, or negligence of making entry, but, added to this, he
was wonderfully loath to make out bills against any parties who
were ready and willing to pay such bills when rendered.  One
man who, it is said, was indebted to the doctor for medical
service and who had demanded of him right along for three
years his account without success, brought him for settlement
before one of our old-time'squires. On hearing day the doctor
declared that he didn't owe the plaintiff one cent. "All right,"
said the plaintiff, "my object in bringing the suit against you is
to put matters in such a shape that I will know how much I
owe you.".  The doctor's bill was at once rendered and payment made, and both left the'squire's office well pleased that
things were no worse.
The popularity of Doctor Biddle as a man and a physician
became so great that he was kept on the go mostly day and
night, for many years.  One of the Doctor's two favorite
horses called Ned had considerable sagacity-became so well
acquainted with the roads and by-roads and lanes of the
country for eight or ten miles round and many stopping places,
knowing the Doctor's habits of occasionally taking a snooze in
the late hours of night whilst astraddle of his back, was careful as to how he carried the Doctor when in such condition.
One night at a late hour having alighted at a sick house on
Mingo creek, after seeing his patient he remounted Ned and
in a few moments afterwards fell asleep. The next stopping
place, as the faithful horse well knew, would be at Valley Inn
on the Pike, to which place the animal gently posted its way
up a long hill and from the creek. In coming to the front of
the residence where the sick lay, the sagacious horse made a
halt without the pulling of the rein, and loudly neighed with
its head towards the patient's house, as much as to say to the
inmates, "here we are, but the Boss you wish to see is enjoying a snooze upon my back."  The weary Doctor was
soon waked up and dismounted and the sick seen to. The
Doctor was opposed to all kinds of display and pomposity.
Plain in his dress, economical in his expenditures, a man of2The Old and New Jonongqaela.
excellently well-balanced mind. Shrewd and quick in detecting the plots or connivances of designing men.  He was
strictly conscientious and honest in all his dealings.  He took
the grounds that every person should render a full consideration for the amount of bill charged-a man of sterling integrity,
of mild temper and disposition.  He would not jangle or quarrel with persons disposed to be abusive, bit would get away.
A profound thinker, he wrote several sensible articles for the
local press upon the transpiring matters of his day.
Although no office seeker he took a deep interest in the
affairs of the country.   When he took the stump, as betimes
he did in the most exciting political campaigns, his speeches
were delivered with force and telling effect.  He was a warm,
reliable friend and good neighbor, fond of a cigar, also of hearing or telling of a joke having a good point, which, without
fail, would extort from him a hearty laugh.  He was a close
observer of the sagacity and acuteness of some of the animals;
was disposed to think that such of them thus acute were endowed with reason,ing powers.   Sometimes in the Doctor's
leisure moments he would close his eyes and take a hearty
laugh preparatory to relating a good one in regard to some
funny occurrence which had come- under his notice, which he
could always tell with such a grace as to bring a spontaneous
burst of laughter from the whole company present.
It was a matter of wonder to many why a man possessing
such an excellent mind and good sense as Dr. Biddle would be
so careless in keeping his accounts, and manifest so much dislike to rendering bills for service. For some 35 years he
practiced early and late through every part of this town, and
over the hills and dales of the surrounding country for eight
or ten miles distant, for which arduous labors he nor his intelligent widow has never been half paid.
Worn out in the service of the people, he died May 12th,
1864, at his home in Monongahela City, and sweetly slumbers
in the Monongahela cemetery, where a snug monument is
erected to his memory.
MOSES SCOTT.
288The Old and JNew ]ionongahtela.
MRs. M. J. BIDDLE.
Died, at her home on Fourth street, in Monongahela, Monday, July 17, 1893, Mrs. Mary Jane Cooper, relict of the late
Dr. R. F. Biddle, to whom she was married in 1848. At her
death she was perhaps the oldest continuous resident of this
city. She was born October 10, 1818, in this town, the daughter of John and Charity Cooper.  Cooper removed from
West Newtoil in 1810.  His wife's maiden name was Charity
Sparks, daughter of Colonel Richard Sparks, who was a colonel
in the United States army at the close of the revolution, and
who owned in early days the well-known Garret Wall farm in
Forward township, in Allegheny county, Pa., oni which the
mother of our deceased friend was born.
John Cooper and Charity Sparks were married March 2, 1809,
and Cooper died March 1, 1820, leaving a widow and four
sons, Richard Sparks, Hezekiah D., John S. and Robert F.,
and one daughter, Mary Jane, the deceased.
With the decease of Jane, John Cooper's children have all
passed away.  Mrs. Cooper, mother of Jane, imarried John
Shouse, March 28, 1828, who died at the Valley Inn, now
Baidland,  August 13, 1834, leaving one son, W. H. Shouse,
now of Cincinnati, Ohio, and one daughter, Fannie C., wife of
Rev. J. P. Fulton, of Harper, Kas. When the father of Mrs.
Janle Biddle settled in this city, then called Williamsport, there
were only four resident Presbyterians in the place, namely:
John Lamb and wife, and James Gordon and wife, the arrival
of John Cooper and wife making up the faithful eight who,
with James Hair and wife, formed the nucleus of that blessed
church which has stood for a century gathering in the generations of the past.  In this church Jane was born and lived all
of her years, doing service in untold ways and means to aid
the cause of her Master.
She was intellectually bright, which added much to her usefulness as a member of the church and of society in general.
Many of the older citizens will call to mind her success as a
teacher in private and public schools.
289Thle Old and Xe iXJonongahela.
When the deceased joined the Presbyterian church the congregation worshipped in the brick church building on the hill,
where now only can be seen the remains of the resting places
of those who once made up the number who listened to the instructions of the good old minister, Dr. Ralston, and the
younger Chambers and Porter.   Mrs. Biddle's associates in
early church work have about all gone home.
Her race was long, but she reached the goal and won the
prize of eternal life, through Jesus Christ.
SAMUEL POLLOCK DEAD.
Samuel Pollock, of Pollock's hill, an old resident of IUnion
township, died Tuesday, July 18th, 1893, of heart failure, in
his 77th year.  Interment at Mingo.
J. SUTTON WALL.
Mr. Wall's ancestry dates from an early period in the history
of America; he being a lineal descendant of Walter Wall, who
emigrated from England to St. Christopher's Island (one of the
British West Inldies) in 1635. (Vide N. E. Geneological and
Antiquarian Register for 1860, p. 355). From thence he removed to Gravesend, Long Island, in 1640; and subsequently
became an influential member of the so called English Colony,
which the celebrated Lady Moody and her followers joined at
that place in 1643.  She having left Salem, Massachusetts, to
escape the religious persecutions of the rulers at that place.
Walter Wall owned considerable quantities of land in and
about Gravesend, (Vide Thompson's History of Long Island,
Vol. II, p. 177, c.) but owing to the unsettled condition of
governmental affairs in that region, he, together with a number
of intimate friends and their families, removed to East Jersey
(now New Jersey) in 1657, where they purchased lands from
the Indians, and made a more permanent settlement.  He purchased a large tract of land in the neighborhood of Middletown, where he resided during the remaining portion of his
life. This is where his grandson, General Garret D. Wall,The Old and New iMolonoaahela.
was borin, who subsequently took a prominent part in the public affairs of New Jersey, and was one of its representatives
in the IUnited States Senate for a number of years.  (Vide
Whitehead's History of Eminent Jerseymen.)  The family
remained together in this region during the succeeding hundred
years, and mainly throughout the Colonial troubles that led to,
and included the separation from the mother country. The
Wall family were zealous supporters of the Revolutionary
cause, giving their services and lives freely in the behalf of the
new country, as many of them more recently have done.
James Wall (great grandfather of the subject of this sketch),
together with his brotherl Walter, in 1766, emigrated from
"Jersey" to the "Forks of Yough," as they then called it,
afterwards known as the " Jersey Settlement, " now comprised
within the portion of the county of Allegheny lying between
the Youghiogheny and Monongahela rivers, in Pennsylvania,
where they settled and subsequently purchased large tracts of
land from  the state.  James Wall took a leading part in the
public affairs of the new settlement during his life.  (Vide.
Crumrine's History of Washington county and other local
histories of the region).
Garrett Wall (son of James and grandfather of J. Sutton
Wall) married a daughter of Colonel Richard Sparks, of the
United States army.  He served in the war of 1812-13, as
quartermaster of Colonel Ferree's regiment of volunteer infantry in the campaign of the northwest, under General William
Henry Harrison.
Colonel Richard Sparks served as captain in Clark's battalion
under Major General St. Clair, in 1791, and in 1792 was
appointed captain third United States infantry, and subsequently promoted to colonel of the second United States infantry.
He was also engaged-in the campaign of the northwest under
General Harrison, and remained in the army until the time of
his death in 1815 (see Records of War Department), at Port
Gibson, Mississippi.
Colonel Richard Sparks had five children, all daughters, viz:
291THE
OLD AND NEW
MONON GAlHI ELA.
-BY
JOHN S. VAN VOORHIS, A. M., M. D.
" BELLEVERNON, PA.
PITTSBURGH, PA.
NICHOLSON, PRINTER, AND BINDER,
1893.4The Old and New Mononqgahela.
By the provisions of the act incorporating the borough into
a city, its boundaries were considerably enlarged, adding
thereby much to the population, and increasing the number of
scholars in the public schools. This fact had much to do in
originating the necessity of this grand edifice, now under the
process of dedication. This building needs no eulogy from me;
it speaks for itself in tones that will reverberate through generations yet unborn. When this valley, with its hundred villages,
smoking with the fires of industry, shall quake with the thunderings of the iron horse as it drives with lightning speed its
human freight from ocean to ocean, this house will be pointed
to as the proudest monument to science between the rising and
setting sun.  Long after the drapery of the grave shall have
enshrouded them, the names of Williams, Beaver, King, Hammond, Shepler, Linn, Blythe, Teeters, Alexander, Coulter,
Hartrick and others connected therewith, will have an abiding
place in the future. The contractors, too, Neil Blythe  Co.,
will not be forgotten, when future generations shall make up
their jewels of rejoicing.  We cannot refrain from  turning
aside for a moment and pointing you to some interesting features in the life of our old friend and schoolmate, Wmin. Coulter.
More than half a century ago we together attended the old
Colhoon school, near the late residence of Abe Hull.  He has
been so long identified with this coinmmunity in all its interests,
and especially in that of its public schools, that his nature has
had much to do in moulding the disposition and tastes of the
people. He was born November 11, 1817, in Catsburg, in the
old house still standing on the corner of the street leading to
the cemetery.  He came on the stage of life, it will thus be
seen, about the time in the history of that village when
"Biddie Caldwell" held queenly sway.  He first attended
school in an old house long since passed into the river, near
the residence of the late Judge Hill. His next school was that
of Miss Burke, who kept in an old house on the Bollman lot,
near the residence of the late Noble Woodward.  Among the
scholars were his brother Ralph and Joseph Woodward. He
242The Old and New Xononcahela.
Mary, married to Garret Wall; Catherine, married to Richard
McClure, of Clermont county, Ohio; Charity, married to John
Cooper, he died and she afterward married John Shouse; Elizabeth, married to --   Braezeale; and Elenor, who married
John Priity, of Clermont county, Ohio.
Captain Brisben Wall, late deceased, (son of Garret and
father of J. Sutton Wall) a civil engineer by profession, and
widely known for his ability in that profession throughout
south-western Pennsylvania, entered the Union service, in the
war of the late Rebellion, as First Lieutenant in Company D,
79th Regiment P. V., September 21st, 1861, anld served under
General James S. Negley, in the Army of the Tennessee, until
disabled for further duty during the following year.
Major William Wall, (brother of Captain Brisben Wall)
graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1832, commissioned Second Lieutenant Third U. S. Artillery, and subsequently Captain and Assistant Quartermaster.  He served in
the campaign against the Seminole Indians in Florida, and continued in the army until the time of his death at Pueblo,
August 13, 1847, while engaged in the war with Mexico.
J. Sutton Wall (son of Captain Brisben Wall) was born
March 21, 1849, at the old " homestead," in the "Jersey Settlement.'"  He received early training in mathematics and the
natural sciences under the tutelage of his father, and in the
public and private. schools of that region.  His rapid progress
in these studies enabled him to commence the practice of civil
engineering at the early age of eighteen, and he has continued
in the active practice of the various branches of that profession
to the present time.  He was elected city engineer of Monongahela City in 1871, and beld that office almost continuously
from that tirne to June. 1887, when he resigned to accept the
office of chief draftsman in the Departmnent of Internal Affairs
of Pennsylvania, under the administration of Colonel Thomas
J. Stewart, which he still retains.
He served as a mining engineer on the board of examiners
for the bituminous coal regions of Pennsylvania, under the
292The Old and NYew Jfononyahela.
administrations of Governors Hartranft and Hoyt, from 1877 to
i885, and was reappointed to the same office by Governor
Beaver.
He was appointed in 1881 to make a special survey and re)ort on the coal mines and mining operations of the Mononrahela Valley and the Pittsburgh coal regions, under the
tuspices of the Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania,
vhich work has been published as Volume K 4, of the reports
)f that survey.
He has been engaged on numerous other public and private;urveys where considerable professional skill and knowledge
vere essential to a proper execution of the work.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS.
Mrs. Nancy Quinby Larwill celebrated her 100th birthday
t her home in  Wooster, Ohio, May 9th, 1893. She
{as born in Fallowfield township, or what may now
e Carroll, Washington  county, Pa.,  three miles from'arkison's Ferry, which she tells me is as familiar to her
s Wooster.  Her father, Ephraim Quinby, Jr., married Miss
nrmmie Blackamore, in Brownsville, Pa., and three children,ere born when he founded the colony in Warren, Ohio.'heir names were Nancy, Samuel and William. The latter
as often been heard to say that his mother rode on horseback
ehind him when he came to Ohio. As he was a babe six
ionths old, it is altogether probable he was right.  Samuel
nd William are deceased, as are Elizabeth Heaton, Arabrilla'otter, Mary Girling Spelman, Charles, James and Ephraim
TI. Warren and George Quinby live at Wooster-Warren at
ie age of 85 and George at 78. The family are and ever have
oen singularly and happily united, and mlaintain the fondest
Tection for each other. Ephraim Quinby's father, Ephraim,
aver emigrated. Ephraim, Jr., came west with his uncle,
sseph Hall, and family while a lad. His brother, Samuel
uinby, lived at the Horse Shoe Bend, on the farm now owned
21
293The Old and New Monongahela.
by James Sampson, and did not leave Washington county until
some years after Ephraim, Jr., formed his settlement of twenty
families at Warren, Ohio, in 1799, nearly all former residents
of Washington county, Pa. Joseph H. Larwill, a surveyor, was
employed by Col. Beaver to draught plans and survey his
lands. Beaver was the starting point of emigration either by
land or water.  My father remembers no sugar, tea, coffee or
calico could be had on the western reserve nearer than Beaver,
and the produce was there exchanged for these then, as now,
necessaries of life.
May 22nd, 1817, Joseph H. Larwill and Nancy Quinby
were married at her father's, in Warren, by Rev. Adamson
Bentley. The home overlooks the town, on the banks of
Mahoning river, and is known as Quinby hill-a beautiful
place-now occupied by George B. Quinby, grandson of
Ephraim, Jr.   The wedding party went to Wooster on horseback, and on July 4th, 1817, Mrs. Larwill cooked her first
dinner in a house which stood where now stands the Frick
Memorial Block.
Early in life Mrs. Larwill united with the Baptist church of
Warren, and has been a member of the Bethany Baptist Congregation of Wooster since it was organized, and the Quinby
family in Warren has always been among the staunch supporters of the Baptist faith.   Samuel Quinby, Sarah Quinby
Reeves, and Mr. and Mrs. James Campbell, were the only
remaining members to charter a new church when Adamson
Bentley and his whole church membership were converted to
Disciple belief by the eloquent evangelistic sermons of Alexander Campbell, in 1832. It was then the Quinlby element
held to the Baptist faith, and began anew to build the present
outlook for Baptists in Warren.
Descended from Quaker stock, born and reared on the neutral
grounds of the revolutionary days, faith in God, and great
goodness of heart, had secured to them the confidence and love
of their fellow men.
C)   A.Th, e Old and New -Mononrgahela.
Joseph H. Larwill honored his employer, Mr. Beaver, by
naming the streets in Wooster, Beaver, Henry for the son,
Martilla for the daughter, and Larwill street for his own family,
where he resided the greater part of his life, dying November
20th, 1867. No children blessed the union, but nieces and
nephews call them blessed. One, Mrs. iNannie Laubach, of
Pittsburgh, was presented by her centenarian aunt with the
gold watch and chain she had carried, which had been purchased for her by Mr. Larwill in Philadelphia, in 1857.
A hundred rosebuds arranged in an immense bowl, from her
two brothers and the nieces and nephews, a hundred navel
oranlges, from a niece, Mrs. Estep, of San Francisco; a book
entitled " 100 Birthdays," from nieces in Washington, D. C.,
and many evidences of love and. affection were noticed. The
room, which is in her own home, and where she has lived since
her husband's death, to be near her brothers, was most handsomely decorated with flowers in profusion from loving friends.
On waking in the morning she remarked, L"If Mr. Larwill
were living, we'd have a feast to-day;" and though Mr. Larwill looked down from his portrait, draped in flowers and evergreens, there was a feast of reason and a flow of soul, for she
was able to receive over a hundred friends, who each said a
few congratulory sentences, to all of whom she replied fittingly
and presented them with a card on which were printed these
lines, arranged and suggested hy a deceased but loving niece,
Lizzie Quinby Stiles:
A hundred years, a hundred years,
To walk the grand old earth,
Anld see a nation rise and grow
To greatness from its birth.
A hundred years, a hundred years,
To drink the air and light;
But happy when the shadows fall
To bid the world " good-night."
A hundred years of tranquil life,
And nearer God each day;
The years, like roses, when they die,
In fragrance pass away.
295The Old and -New Monongahela.
That any one could enjoy life at 100 years is evidence of
care for youth and latter-day attendance most complete. Mrs.
Kate Potter Petit, a niece, has guarded her the past seven
years from every possible care, and Frederika Link has performed for thirty-eight years a loving service in the Larwill
household.  Mrs. Larwill cannot be said to suffer from the
weight of years. Her hearing has been defective, but time has
not dimmed her sight or repressed for her the voice of friends.
She sits up all day and observes everything about her, and in the
funeral of her life-long friend, Rev. Dr. David Kammerer, which
took place the same day, was heard to express sorrow and sympathy. She made inquiry for absent friends and sent messages
of love to those who feared to weary her by coming. En route
I made the acquaintance of Mrs. Parkison, of Beaver Falls,
who informed me her husband is a descendant of Joseph Parkison, and on telling Mrs. Larwill of the incident, she replied:
"I was seven years old when my father moved to Warren; I
rod.e on horseback, and had often in his company been to Parkison's Ferry, where Mr. Parkison had his three mills, and.was entertained by Mrs. Parkison while the grist was being
ground."  She particularly remembers the flowers and fruit,
and was impressed that the surroundings were superior.
Ephraim and Samuel Quinby were the only sons of Ephraim
Quinby, Sr., and Elizabeth Hall Halliday, who emigrated to
Washington county and are the progenitors of the name in this
vicinity, excepting William H. Quinby, of Cleveland, who is
descended from Moses Quinby, a brother of Ephraim, Sr., and
William E. Quinby, president of the Detroit Free Press company, of Detroit, whose father emigrated to that city from Brewer,
Me., in 1845, and can in all probability trace his lineage to
previous Huguenot emigration. In connection with this sketch
it is of interest to note that Mrs. Teresa Quinby Carver, of
Sharon, Pa., is a daughter of Samuel Quinby, and for a number of years made her home with her aunt, Mrs. Larwill, in
Wooster.  IIer father, Samuel Quinby, was a soldier in the
296The Old and New iMonongahela.         297
revolutionary war and was honored by military obsequies September 10, 1840. She is one of the exceptional daughters of
the revolution, in that she is entitled to a pension, among but
few others left in the Union, and enjoys length of days in the
lhome of her youth amid pleasant associations.
E. R. BEEBE.BELLEVERNON.
The territory embraced within the limits of the borough of
Bellevernon was prior to the formation of Fayette county, in
1783, a part of Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, Pa.
Rostraver at that time was bounded by the Youghiogheny and
Monongahela rivers, and a straight line from the mouth of Big
Redstone, on the Monongahela, to a point on the Youghiogheny,
opposite the mouth of Jacobs creek. When Fayette was
formed the line was changed so as to run due east and west
from Jacob's creek to the mouth of what is now known as
Speer's run, on the Monongahela. This line was so changed
by the Act of Assembly of April 15, 1863, as to run from the
mouth of Speer's run to the middle of the stone bridge, thence
in a straight line to the corner of the school house lot now
owned by R. J. Linton, along the upper side of said lot to
Long Alley, thence to the county line, and thence along said
line east to to the Youghiogheny river. This line as it runs
from the stone bridge is better defined by making the next
point at the corner of State Road street and Short street and
thence along said Short street to Long alley. At the first court
held in Fayette county December, 1783, the county was divided into twelve (12) townships, one of which was nanled
Washington, in honor of General Washington.  The township
of Washington originally embraced a part of Perry and all of
Jefferson township.  The primitive- settlers in the vicinity of
what is now called Bellevernon first voted July 8, 1776, at
Spark's Fort, near Burns' Ford, on the Youghiogheny. By
the Act of March 3, 1790, Fayette county was divided into
four election districts. The citizens of Washington township
voted at Fort Burd, now Brownsville. After some time the0The Old actd New Xionongahela.
place of holding the elections was removed to the Red Lion,
kept by Thomas Patterson. When Jefferson township was
formed in 1840, the election place was removed to Cookstown,
by consent of the voters, without the usual process of law.
The site on which the town of Bellevernon is built lies
within 40 degrees 35 minutes north latitude and 3 degrees of
longitude west of Washington, D. C.-two hundred feet below
Uniontown, seven hundred and sixty feet above the sea, one
hundred and seventy-two feet above Lake Erie. In the Washington, Pa., Reporter of July 12, 1812, was first advertised the
sile of lots in Bellevernon, by Noah Speers, the proprietor of
the ground, and founder of the town. According to this notice
the lots were laid out 75 by 100 feet, and main streets 50 and
cross streets 40 feet wide. There seems to have been no sales
under this notice.  Subsequently, for some cause, the size of
the lots was reduced to 60 by 100 feet. The first sale was
made by public outcry on the 18th day of April, 1814. A
premium of $10 was offered for the first house erected, which
prize was won by Thomas Ward, who built the house that until
recently stood on the corner of Main and Second streets. During 1890 this house was moved to the corner of Second and
Solomon streets to give place to the stately building of Howard
McClure, erected in the autumn of 1890.
The next house erected was the Hornbeck tavern, which
stood for many years on the corner of Main street and Cherry
alley, which gave place to the large building erected by Amon
Bronson and sold by him to J. S. Henry, Sr., and now, 1893,
occupied by J. S. Henry, Jr., as a storeroom.
The title to the land on which Noah Speers founded Bellevernon was possessed by him through his father, Henry Speers
the older, who obtained it by purchase from John Cockey
Owens, to whom the state granted a patent bearing date of May
17, 1791. The ground originally was thickly grown with sugar
trees. That part of the ground between First street and Speer's
Run was not in the original plot of the town. This tract included the ferry and was called "Sunmer House" in the
300/he. Old and New Xiononga/hela.       301
patent granted Regina Speers, widow of Henry Speers the
older, and to Benjamin Frye, a son-in-law, both of whom were
the executors of the estate of Henry Speers. The patent was
dated June 1, 1784, and included the ferry and three acres of
ground. This tract was conveyed to Noah Speers by Regina
Speers, acting executrix of Henry Speers, by deed bearing
date of January 16, 1797. Noah Speers, by will dated June
2, 1832, conveyed it to Solomon Speers. Noah Speers between 1816 and 1820 erected the brick house still standing,
and now, 1893, occupied as a hotel and ticket office for the
Bellevernon and  McKeesport Railroad Company. In the
corner room of this house was kept the first store in the town,
although David Furnier had a store below Speer's run as early
as 1790. The late Uriah Ward often said " that the first
money he ever earned was for hauling water and carrying brick
for that house, at six cents per day and boarded himself. " The
oldest house in the town is the one on Main street below Fourth,
owned and occupied so long- by the late Mrs. Mary Corwin.
It was the original house erected by Michael Springer, on the
well known Springer farm in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, and now owned by heirs of James Ward and the
heirs of James H. Springer, deceased.  It was removed to its
site in the summer of 1815, and was from that date to the day
of her death occupied by Mrs. Corwin.
The first attempt to incorporate the town was made in 1850.
On the petition of sundry citizens, Hon. J. D. Leet, a member
of the House of Representatives from Washington county, read
a bill in place March 19, 1850, to incorporate Bellevernon, in
Fayette county, into a borough.  It was reported favorably
from  the committee on corporations promptly, and passed
through both houses and signed by Governor W. F. Johnson.
The proposed borough was to be bounded and limited as follows: Beginning at the mouth of Speer's Run, following the
county line to the coal pit on the State road in front of the
present dwelling owned by John Gray in North Bellevernon;
thence in a direct line to Gould's Run; thence to the graveCThe Old and New  iononqyahela.         25
also attended John Dunning's school, kept in the red house
already named, where the Peoples Bank stands. In 1827 he
attended school in the old house in the rear of the grocery of
D. H. Williams, where Gabriel Silverthorn lived long ago.
Early in 1828 he attended the old Colhoon school. In 1830
he went to school to a man named Hepburn, who, with his two
daughters, taught a semi-graded school in the old Dorcas
Cooper house. Mrs. Margaret Sloan was one of the scholars,
and has very vivid recollections of the teachers.  After the
adoption of the common school system he was a scholar at the
Irish Lewis school on Marshall's hill.  The last school he ever
attended was taught by Moses Arthurs, on the Yough river,
near Robbin's mill.  At the close of this school he considered
himself a graduate in the "Single Rule of Three," and congratulated himself, no doubt, that after years of hard study in
many schools of learning, he had at length acquired sufficient
proficiency in that Rule as to qualify him for the carpenter
trade. He began to learn his trade with a Mr. Kelly, but made
poor progress, owing to the fact that Kelly did not have anything to do.  This did not suit the young apprentice as well
as it would boys now-a-days, so he left Kelly and engaged with
Amos Robbins to learn the millwright trade. It soon, however, struck William that curves, wheels and spindles would
not lead rapidly to wealth, so he suddenly, with rule and square,
set out for himself on his first track, and how well he has pursued it ever since, let the result of skill all over this neighborhood bear the testimony.  He is with us to-night, and although his first love of a schoolhouse has been superceded, he
delights to dwell on the beauties of this grand palace.  He has
been a school director in his native town back to the time to
which memory runneth not to the contrary.  He has seen the
old building across the way come and answer its day. Although
in appearance he looks hale and robust, a twinkle of the eye
readily detects the fact that the weight of years is upon him.
God bless you Wm. Coulter.
Independent of the common school system, the influence of302            The Old and New lonongahela.
yard, including it; thence to the river, including the house of
J. B. Gould; thence following the river to the place of beginning.  The bill was bitterly opposed by Solomon Speers,
through his brother-in-law, R. C. Walker, a member from
Allegheny county, but now a major on the retired list in the
United States army, residing in Helena, Mont. Mr. Leet succeeded.
By tradition more than otherwise, the county line was supposed in its course east to take in the mouth of the old coal pit
in front of the lot now owned by John Gray on State street in
North Bellevernon.  After the building of the brick school
house, which stood on the lot owned by R. J. Linton, on the
corner of State and Short streets, it became a question to determine the exact and true location of the county line. The primitive
act of incorporation failed to go into operation. It was passed
in what was called an "omnibus " bill, and in order for any
one of the different acts to have effect of law the enrollment tax
had to be paid on all the "omnibus " bill contained. Through
neglect and indifference on the part of the friends of the Bellevernon act the tax was not paid, and at the next session that
part of the "omnibus" bill was repealed, and Bellevernon
remained a part of Washington township.
The voters in the town becoming wearied at the inconvenience of traveling to Cookstown, determined to have the privilege of casting their votes at home, petitioned the Legislature,
during the session of 1854, to have created a new election
district.  Hon. W. Y. Roberts took charge of the bill, which
he speedily had passed through both houses and approved by
Governor Bigler April 13th, 1854.   The new district was
bounded as follows, viz:  Beginning at the mouth of Speer's
run, running the county line three-quarters of a mile, thence in
a straight line to the dwelling house of Joseph Springer, including the same, thence to the upper coal way of Samuel
Clark, thence by the river to the place of beginning. The Act
named Adolph Eberhart as Judge, A. P. Frye and Thomas
Taggart as Inspectors, to hold the first election, which wasTh]e Old cand New Mfonongahela.
held on the second Tuesday of October, 1854.   Solomon
Speers and John B. Gould were appointed Clerks.   Gould's
school house was fixed by the Act as the place for holding the
elections. The prospective increase of the town and the building of the new school house in 1857 created a new interest in
determining the exact locality of the dividing line between
Westmoreland and Fayette counties, as it related to the town.
To settle the question an Act of Assembly was obtained, approved March 30th, 1860, creating a commission " to survey,
ascertain and establish " this line between Jacob's creek and
Speer's run.   The commission under this Act were E. F.
Housman, of Westmoreland county, J. S. Van Voorhis and H.
F. Blythe, of Fayette. They appointed the late Samuel C.
Griffith surveyor, and Alexander Wilson and Jacob B. Speers
ax men. They run over the line three different times in order
to have it correct beyond doubt.   The true line was due east
and west between the above named points.  It was thus discovered that the line at Bellevernon end put the dwellings
now occupied by Mrs. Jane Beazell, the dwellings owned now
by L. J. Jeffries, Esq., part of the property of Heary Coughenour, and that owned by the heirs of William Jacobs, and
school house lot now owned by R. J. Linton, into Westmoreland county.   During the investigation of this line, Hon.
David Kaine, now deceased, found in the prothonotary's office
in Uniontown the original draught of the county line as run at
the formation of the county.  In running the first line it was
commenced at Jacob's creek, and when the surveyor's corps
arrived at the Monongahela river the terminus was 30 rods below the mouth of Speer's run, with 1 degree north of a due
east and west line. In a foot note the surveyor remarked that
if any one wants to know the true line it is a due east and west
line, 1 degree above this line.  As that was the only line surveyed, it was held by tradition to be the true line, and hence
an error was continually being made until the commission of
March 30th, 1860, fixed, by actual survey, the true location
of the line which was sanctioned by the courts of both counties.
303lThe Old and New 2ionongathela.
The discovery of the true county line had more to do than anything else toward the incorporation of the Borough by the Act
of April 15th, 1863.
The town of Bellevernon was formed into a borough
with  territory  taken  partly  from   Fayette  and  partly
from  Westmoreland counties.   By this act the place of
holding the elections was changed from  Gould's school
house to the public school house on the hill, within the
borough limits. The voters in the remaining part of the old
district were replaced into Washington township. The last
election in the old district was held March 20, 1863, the election officers being: Judge, J. M. Springer; inspectors, 0. D.
Johnson and John Reeves. At this election James Corwin was
elected judge and C. Amalong and Jacob Brendel inspectors.
By the act of incorporation the officers elected last in the old
district were authorized to hold the first election in the new
borough. The act fixed May 16, 1863, as the time for the
first election. The board consisted of James Corwin, judge;
Jacob Brindel and S. W. Watson, inspectors. Mr. C. Amalong
having failed to qualify, S. W. Watson was appointed in his
place.  This election perfected the organization. By an act of
Assembly approved March 31, 1864, the borough was placed
for all purposes under the jurisdictiom of Fayette county, and
the proceedings of the burgess and town council were legalized.
This act of Assembly was supposed to be necessary, owing to
a difference of opinion in the construction of the act of incorporation.  By an act of the Legislature approved March 1,
1866, the citizens of the borough were authorized to elect six
councilhnen--two for one year, two for two years and two for
three years. During the session of 1868 the Legislature passed
an act prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage
within the borough. As far as we are advised, this was the last
act relating to the borough, except the one giving power to the
school board to issue bonds bearing interest not exceeding eight
per cent. The churches, cemetery association, loan associations and Odd Fellows' Hall association obtained their charters
304The Old and VNew MonongcaAela.
through the courts.  At the first election, held May 16, 1863,
Amon Bronson was elected burgess; J. R. Powell, Bazil
Brightwell, Winm. Sutton, Ed. Martin, James Corwin and Ed.
Jordan, councilmen; James French, John W. Wright, Robert
Boyle, J. S. Van Voorhis, N. Q. Speer and James Davidson,
school directors; auditors, Robert Boyle, J. M. Springer and
0. D. Johnson; John Watson, Justice of the Peace; assessor,
J. W. Lindsay.  J. M. Springer, under a commission dated
April 10th, 1860, for Washington township, served as first
Justice of the Peace in the borough.   He was elected in the
borough in 1865, and at this time (1893) he is serving his
eighth term of five years.
The name of Speers has figured in the history of this town
in a variety of transactions for over a century.   Appearing at
first from German descent the name remains among us to-day.
Henry Speers, the older, settled about the year 1770 on what
is now known as the Gibsonton farm, and to insure protection
from the Indians he located his domicil near the fort, which
stood just befow Gibsonton Mills of this day.  A more extensive notice of the family will be given in another place in this
work.   He was not only a large landholder, but an extensive
slaveholder. He was undoubtedly among the first business men
on the river in this region. The Coopers and Fryes on the opposite side of the river began their settlements cotemporary with
Speers, and in their after history formed important alliances.
From what we can learn the ferry had its primitive existence
just below the mouth of Maple creek, under the joint ownership
of Speers anid the older Cooper.  The machinery of the ferry
consisted in a primitive canoe dugout, somewhat after the fashion of an old timed horse trough.   Horses had either to ford
the river when the water was low enough, or swim in higher
stages of the river,  The ferry now existing was establishled by
HIenry Speers the older, and the title vested subsequent to hlis
death for that part of the ferry on the Belle Vernon side of the
river, but the Washington county side was patented to his son,
Henry Speers, January 12th, 1789, on a survey entered by
305The Old and -New A-onongahela.
Henry Reef, May 23rd, 1769, and conveyed to Henry Speers
by deed dated Septemrber 14th, 1784.   The ferry was carried
on by means of the primitive canoe, and in progress of time
the flat was invented, and its power to cross the river consisted in the broad-bladed oars and pike pole, so long used in
after years to push the keel boat. The rope ferry is a modern
invention.   Of the earlier persons who plied the oar we have
no information.
Noah Speers, by will dated June 2, 1832, conveyed the
Fayette side of the ferry to his son Solomon, who sold it to
Louis M. Speers, the date thereof we do not know. At the
death of Henry Speers, the younger, his son Apollos, came
into possession of the Washington side of the ferry, and at his
death his son Noah inherited it. The ferry is now working
under a charter granted April 1, 1870, by the Legislature to
Noah, L. M. Speers and W. F. Speers. At the assignee's sale
in bankruptcy of L. M. and W. F. Speers, about 1880, Noah
Speers became sole owner of the ferry, and is at this date
(1893) its owner.  At a very early date a man named Pennywell lived in a house where now stands the Presbyterian church.
He carried on shoemaking, and his wife attended the ferry. In
those days shoemaking was a laborious and not very profitable
trade. lie had to make his own wax, the thread, the pegs, and
the polish was a compound of soot and white of an egg. The
paste was home-made and kept for use in an ox horn hung on
a peg in the wall by means of a tow string. The shoes were
generally made of what was then called upper leather, with
calf-skin strings. The shoes intended to be worn with buckles
and breeches were not often made by common shoemakers.
The leather was furnished by those wanting shoes. Andrew
Brice was another ferrymail, and also a shoemaker.  A man
named Joseph Cloud was also a ferryman.  He was jack of all
trades, but seemed especially inclined to be a stone-mason and
blacksmith. He built the huge chimney in the late Aunt Polly
Corwin's house in 1815, which still stands as a monument to his
want of skill.  Cloud lived and had his shop on the river bank
306Tle Old  a7ed 1New Xiononfgahela.
near the ferry. The land on which it stood has long since been
washed away by the river. Four generations of ferrymen have
plied the oar, and, excepting the rope, it remains the same as
one hundred years ago.  For a century this ferry was sought
by the drovers in their route from West to East, and as ferrymnen the names of Speers, Ward, Cooper, Wells, French,
Husher, et id. omnwe genus, were household gods from the Mississippi to the Delaware. The " Swan," built in 1845 at Fredericktown for Apollos Speers, by Charles Bowers, was the first
horse-boat at this ferry.  The idea of a horse-boat was suggested by the completion of dam No. 4 of the Slackwater.
Charles Bowers was an uncle of Morgan Bowers, for many
years a resident of Bellevernon. Capt. S. C. Speers recollects
very well the fact of his going on horseback with his father,
Apollos Speers, to bring down the boat. The horses on which
they rode were placed on the boat and worked it down to the
Bellevernon landing, were it was greeted with applause by the
citizens. Samuel St. Clair was the pilot on her trip down.
The Belle Vernon horse boat was built by L. M. Speers at
the boat yard then carried on at the mouth of Third street,
Belle Vernon, in 1852 or 53.   The mouse colored Davy and
sorrel Barney long did duty on this boat, and won quite a reputation among the stockmen of the west. The horse boat gave
way to the steam ferry boat, "Polly South," built at Belle
Vernon in 1858.  This boat was run in charge of Captain
James French as master, and his sons, Willie and Sylvester, as
engineers.  The boat becoming more or less unfit for duty and
always an expense to the owner, gave way to the rope ferry.
The engine is now doing duty for the Speer White Sand
Company at the "Juniata works," Mapleton, on the Pennsylvania railroad, 159 miles east of Pittsburgh. After the dismantling of the Polly South the engine also did service in
digging the old oil well up Speers run.  W. A. Coughenour,
now a wealthy citizen of Idaho, was the engineer.  The well
was originally drilled to a depth of 250 feet by hand in the
days of Noah Speers, the older, in search of salt water, which
307lThe Old and New lMonongakela.
in those days was a great desideratum.  In the latter drilling,
oil was the object, but at 1010 feet the effort was abandoned,
having not found any oil, though plenty of salt water and some
gas.   Now (1893) this old well is found to be in the midst of
a great gas field.
The store given Solomon Speers by his father in the brick
house was no doubt the first one within the limits of the town,
but not in the vicinity.   The first store in the " Forks" was
the one Col. Edward Cook brought with him from  eastern
Pennsylvania about 1768, and located it in his primitive cabin,
near the present spring house of his great grandson, Joseph
Cook, in Rehoboth Valley.  The next store was in the old log
house which stood on the river bank where now is the saw and
planing mill of the Jones'.  This house and store, with the
"barter " mill, of which we will speak hereafter, was conveyed to David Furnier by Elliot  Williams about the year
1790.  This was the first store about Bellevernon.  Storekeepers then as now were often obliged to trust their neighbors for goods; but it was the rule in old times that if a bill
was not paid at the promised time, the case was at once made
known and the debtor was drummed out of the neighborhood
as an unworthy citizen.  The second store in Bellevernon
was kept by William Reeves, whose wife was a daughter of
Noah Speers. He occupied at first the room in what is now
known as the Sutton house, oni Water street, and afterwards
moved it to the corner of Water street and Cherry alley, long
known as the Methodist church; it now stalnds in the rear of
the former brick store of R. C. Schmertz  Co., on the corner
of Cherry alley and Long alley.  Barnes Reeves had a store in
the house recently owned by Dr. I. C. Hazlett, corner of AMain
street and Cherry alley.  Soime time between 1835 and 1837,
Barnes Reeves erected the brick building on the corner of Main
and Second streets, now owned by L. Z. Birmingham, aind
occupied as a hotel and Brown's pharmacy.  The late Thomas
Taggart did the carpenter work.  Into the corner room Barnes
Reeves moved his store, and carried on business there until he
308Tlte Old atnd NeEw Alonongahela.       309
sold out to his brother-in-law, Rev. John Strickler, who had
married Rhoda, daughter of Manassah Reeves.  Mr. Strickler
sold to John S. Markle, now a resident of Monongahela City,
but in what year we are not inlformed, it was, however, in the
early forties.  How long he did business on this corner we do
not know; but when the writer, ill May, 1847, settled in the
town, the store room was vacant. On the building of the glass
works, of which we have said more in allother place, William
Eberheart had a store in the house on the corner of Main
street and Cherry alley, known then as the Hornbeck tavern,
but the corner is now occupied by J. S. Henry, Jr., with a
store. The tavern house was moved to the lot below, and is
now (1893) owned and occupied by A. L. Brown, the druggist,
as a residence.   Some years afterwards Eberheart moved his
store to the corner now owned by R. C. Schnmertz  Co., and
occupied as dwellings.
Ford McKee in 1847 had a store in the basemeint of the house
now owned and occupied by Andrew Guiler, on the lower end
of Main street.
Boat building was an early element in the business and industry
of the town. Solomon Speers and Morgan Gaskill were the first
boat-builders.  The original yard was in front of the present
residence of Lario, on Water street.  The wide-spreading elm
which passed into the river during the flood of 1844, the stump
of which can yet be seen, afforded shade for lookers-on in the
yard.  The yard was started a short time prior to 1830.  The
whip-saw and the old water mill across the creek, relics of which
are still visible, furnished the sawing of this timber. The long
timber was all sawed by the whip-saw. The log was placed on
a kind of a platform, and under the log one man worked the
lower end of the saw and another did the same duty oil the top.
The whip-saw was peculiarly constructed, and would be a curiosity nowadays.  It had a handle at each end, with the one at
the lower end moveable, so that it could be takein off at will.
As far as we can ascertain, the first boat built was a kind of
horse-boat for a party down the river.  To launch the boat it
22Thle Old and New Miononqgahela.
was necessary to haul it to the wharf at the ferry.  Keelboats
and steamboats were the product generally of this yard. The
"Lancaster" was the first steamboat hull built at this yard.
The hull was contracted for Captain James May, and was intended for the New Orleans trade. The hull was contracted
for by Samuel Walker, of Elizabeth, who sub-let it to Speers 
Gaskill. The late General Isaac Hammett, whose remains lay
in the Bellevernon cemetery, drafted the boat on paper in
Elizabeth and laid it down on the floor of the old stable which
stood until recently on the rear of the lot of the residence of
Lario, on Water street.  It is said that keelboats had been
built in this yard as early as 1822 by William Reeves.  The
date of the change of the boatyard to the mouth of Third street
is contemporary with the building of the saw mill by Solomon
Speers, which stood on the lot where the beautiful residence of
L. Z. Birmingham is now located at the corner of Water and
Third streets. The mill was burned on the morning of February
29, 1880, together with nearly all the buildings on the square.
In 1875 a disastrous fire had occurred on the same square,
on Main street. Solomon Speers sold the mill to L. M. Speers;
L. M. Speers sold it to Daniel Springer and Edward Jordan;
Daniel Springer bought out Jordan and became its sole owner.
At the death of Daniel Springer it was bought by his son
Manoah at the administrator's sale.  Manoah Springer sold it
to O. D. Johnson, who took in W. J. Anderson as a partner in
the business, but not in the ownership of the mill.
In 1875 James M. Springer become sole owner and took in
as a business partner, W. J. Anderson, forming the firmr of
Springer  Anderson. In 1878 the mill was sold to C. B.
Wiley by the Assignee of Springer  Anderson.  C. B.Wiley
was the owner at the time of the fire. The date of the building of this saw mill is well fixed by the fact that it occurred the
fall of the year in what happened the wonderful falling of the
stars and that event was in 1833. The late Daniel Springer
did the carpenter work and Samuel Sisley the stonework.
Robt. Patterson, lately deceased, called to mind the date
6 -)TAle Old and New  iMoezonoga/hela.
from the fact that Sisley was doing the mason work and was
almost fatally frightened at the "Ifalling of the stars."  Captain French, now deceased, a well-known citizen was engineer,
sawyer, fireman, etc., for many years in the early history of
this mill. He related a story in connection with this mill well
worth recording. John Brunthoover, well-known in the town
as John Bunty, about to be arrested for debt, sought in haste
the saw mill as a place of safety.  The Captain took in the
situation at once and kindly concealed him in the cistern.  By
and by either, on purpose or thoughtlessly, he started the pump.
When the water had gotten to about his neck, Bunty became
alarmed at the prospect, and cried out in his usual emphatic
tones, " Hallo, Jim; I'd rather go to jail than be drowned."
Among the boats built at the Third Street Yard were the
Ontario, Protector, Monongahela, Dolphin and Pittsburgh, together with many others whose names we have not obtained.
Among these were the Minstrel, which in April, 1842, fell from
the blocks, killing Robert Winters, and very seriously injuring
John Baldwin by fracturing his leg and bieaking the jaws of
John Corwin.  Daniel and Joseph Springer, James Housman,
Samuel Massey, and others were under the boat but escaped
with but very slight inljury. Speers  Gaskell suspended operations at this yard a short time prior to 1847.  About the
year of 1851 or'52, L. M. Speers and Wm. Latta resumed
active operations in the same yard, L., M. Speers having purchased the saw mill.  Some very fine boats were built by
this firm and among the last was the well-known tug Clipper for S. Clark  Son.  During the years 1853-54, L. M.
Speers erected the large saw mill below Speers Run and the
firm in due time moved the boat-building to it. In 1857 or'58
the firm was dissolved and the business was carried on by L.
M. Speers alone, until the close of the war of the rebellion,
when W. F. Speers became a partmner, anid thereafter the firm
was L. M.  W. F. Speers.  On the morning of October 7,
1876, the mill was burned by fire.  The saw mill was rebuilt
in 1877, and the yard was carried on until the firm went into
311The Old and New lYono~ngah,ela.
the select and academical schools acted no little part in creating
that educational spirit which has given your city so widespread
reputation for its literary taste.  Over half a century ago, Dr.
Ralston, at his residence near Ginger Hill, heard the late Samuel Hare, Aaron Williams and Samuel Williams recite their
first lessons in Greek and Latin. Then followed the academies
of Hazzard and E. S. Blake in the old church on the river bank;
of J. ID. Mason, in the old church on the hill, and of J. P.
Thompson, in the old carriage factory where your humble servant learned to decline "Stella," and conjugate the Greek
verb TUPTO, TUPso, TETUPHA, ETUPON.  Then followed the
schools of McFarland and the Morrison brothers and the select
school of Mary J. Cooper, now Mrs. Biddle, whose presence
greets us to-night. There, too, was Miss Celia Gillet, daughter
of the late Rev. N. H. Gillet, of Rehoboth. She, with her father
and mother, have passed to the better land, whilst Miss Lizzie
Lockhart is here to-night.  Miss Haines, a lady from Canonsburg, taught a select school for a time in the old church on the
river bank; so, also, did Rev. Samuel Hudson, now a distinguished minister in the Cumberland Church.  Miss Haines had
among her scholars Miss Eliza J. Warne, now the wife of John
Watkins, of Missouri; Miss Ilindman and Miss Campbell, of
Finleyville, Miss Rebecca Vain Voorhis, inow of Spearville,
Kansas, and many others whose names we cannot recall.
Froin these schools in this vicinity were sent forth many who
have taken an important part in the drama of life.  J. W. F.
White, once a pupil, is now a judge in Pittsburgh, A. H. Kerr
is an able minister in St. Peters, Minnesota; John McFarland
was a pioneer minister in Missouri, and died a few years ago
near Greenfield, I)ade county; J. C. Cooper is a prominent
physician of Philadelphia; W. F. Hamilton is one of the most
talented ministers in the Synod of Wheeling; John H. Storer
and James H. Manown have long been prominent physicians
of West Virginia;'A. J. Davis is a physician in the East
End, Pittsburgh; Joseph S. and A. P. Morrison are lawyers of high standing in Pittsburgh; James Fleming is a suc26T'he Old and NewJ Monongahela.
bankruptcy in November of the same year. In the building
of the first mill at this yard the late Daniel Springer was the
contractor for the carpenter work and David Furnier for the
mill-wright work. John Herbertson, of Brownsville, furnished
the engine.  Captain James French was the first sawyer after
re-building of the mill.  During the proceedings in bankruptcy
Wm. Jones and and S. F. Jones obtained permission from the
U. S. Court to forclose a mortgage, in pursuance of which the
Sheriff of Westmoreland county sold the mill to William and
S. F. Jones, February 7, 1880, and they sold it to the Bellevernon Saw and Planing Mill Company, May 12, 1880, the
firm being composed of Wm. Jones, S. F. Jones, Samuel Jones,
and Isaac Shepler. The mill as now constructed has an extensive planing apparatus connected with it.
From a diary now in possession of Nelson Johnson, son of
the late Levi Johnson, kept by David Furnier in 1790, we learn
that the old Barter mills, which stood near the present residence of Samuel McKain on Speers' run, were erected prior to
1790, and was the first flouring mill about Bellevernon.  It
was conveyed before 1790 to David Furnier, together with the
log house and store located on the bank of the river, where now
is the boat-yard just below Speers' run.
The well is there yet from which the early settlers drew, with
sweep and moss-covered bucket, water to quench their thirst;
and to make it more palatable the grog of the old-time stillhouse near by was mingled generally with it. This mill, in its
crude state, having had its day, was torn down, and in 1803
the well-known brick mill was built by David Furnier. This
mill was situated not far from the north end of the present
stone bridge near the mouth of Speers' run.  The only known
remnants of this mill are the bricks in the old house, called
for over half a century  "Gould's school house," at the
upper end of Main street in Bellevernion.  This mill was torn
dowin in 1836.
William Hornbake in his day attempted to start a carding
machine in his building, corner of Main street and Cherry
312[The Old and New iVonongahela.
alley, but failed. In the same building, in its back part, Apollos
Speers, the cabinet-maker, in 1854 put an engine to drive his
turning lathe; and in 1855, in this shop, occurred among the
first fires ever in the town.
William Walker was the first tailor in the town. He located
in 1834 in the house known as the ferry house, on Water street
and owned (1893) now by D. W. Owens. James Hagerty
arrived in 1837, and set up in the tailor business in 1838, in
the house recently owned (1890) by Alex. Brown, on Water
above First street. He has been ever since that date a resident
of the town-to his death-except for a short season when he
lived on the opposite side of the river from the' town.  John
Merrick, the tailor, in the same year Hagerty commenced business, settled in the town.  John L. Dehn, now of Mansfield
(1890), Ohio, carried on the tailoring business first in the Sutton and afterwards in the Wise4 house.  He came to town in
about 1859; but can not say in what year he removed to
Mansfield, Ohio. J. B. Zeh was his successor, who, with
Samuel Bedsworth and J. H. Treasure, constitute the tailor
fraternity in town. A German named Blair built the house
now owned by Andrew Guiler, on lower Main street, and in it
carried on the tailoring business.  And just before the war of
the rebellion, William McWilliams, now deceased, had his
residence and tailor shop in this same building.
Father Thomas Ward was the first cabinet maker; he at first
had his shop near the present residence of William Kyle on
Grant and State streets, in North Bellevernon, but removed
in 1815 to the house he built on the corner of Main and Second
streets, in town.  He was also the first and only wheel-wright
ever lived in the place. He died many years since in Ohio,
whither he had gone to pass the remnant of his days among
children who had generally preceded him. He was a very
skillful mechanic, and had peculiar traits of character which
many of the older citizens still relate to the amusement of the
younger.  Apollos Speers succeeded him  as undertaker and
cabinet maker on the corner of Cherry alley and Main street.
313314           The Old and New Afonongakela.
He was regarded as one of the most skillful mechanics in the
valley. In 1848 he took in as partner Thomas Taggart. The
firm  carried on the business until Speers sold the house to
Robert Patterson in the early fifties. Speers moved to Peoria,
Illinois, where he was connected with a coffin -manufactory, and
where he died suddenly and was buried in a coffin of his
own making.
James M. Springer first entered into the furniture business
and undertaking in the summer of 1847.  He purchased from
Mrs. Nancy Reeves, his mother-in-law, the house and lot long
afterwards known as the Hutton dwelling on Main street above
Strawberry alley.  In the same year he built the shop still
standing between the residence and the M. E. church.  Solomon Speers had sold this lot to Barnet Corwin, May 13, 1830,
and he, in 1839, built the house. Barnet Corwin sold the same
to Nancy Reeves November 4, 1845.  Nancy Reeves sold it
to J. M. Springer February, 1848.  Springer sold it to John
Hutton April 2, 1848, and purchased from Solomon Speers the
lots just below Strawberry alley on Main street, and built a
shop on the corner, lately the store-room occupied by Clarke
Corwin. He also built the dwelling burned in 1880. The first
coffin made by Springer was for the father of A. J. Taylor,
who built and lived for many years in the house now owned by
Mrs. Isaac Hammett, on the corner of Wood and Third streets.
The coffin was of the old style, made of black walnut and
polished with beeswax.  In 1872 Springer retired from the
business, having sold out to F. M. Myers.  Myers, May 20,
1880, sold the business to Curtiss Reppert  Sons, who still
carry on the business on the corner of Main and Third streets.
Henry Speers, the older, was perhaps the first person who
died in this vicinity.  His death occurred in 1772, from the
kick of a horse, and it is generally believed that his remains
were interred in the Gibsonton graveyard on the original Speers
farm just below Bellevernon. This old graveyard is now incorporated as a cemetery and is enclosed by a substantial fence.
This was the first burial place in the neighborhood, the Rehoboth's first interment being in 1790.The Old and New Monongahela.
The older Coopers were interred in the private grounds on
the farm recently owned by Thomas Redd at the mouth of
Maple creek, but now (1893) a part of the flourishing town of
Charleroi. The older Fryes were buried on what is called
Smith Frye's farm, being a part of the original Frye farm on
the hill above Lock No. 4.
The Fryes, Speers and Coopers were intimately connected,
both by marriage and association, in their early life, and at
death their remains occupied the same burial grounds, the four
graveyards being in sight, one from the other. The first burial
ground intended for Bellevernon was on the well-known Gould
hill, situated now in the village of " Seldom Seen." During
Wylie's ownership of the land, permission for burial was granted
and J. B. Gould, who succeeded Wylie, gave thd same privilege. The remains of Louis Cislyv were the first to be interred
in this ground, but in what year we cannot ascertain. Then
followed the burial of Casper Ebner, Joseph Billiter and his
two sons, James and Lewis.
The next burial place was in the one which the old Free
Will Baptist Church still stands on Wood Street near Flint
Alley. Mrs William Hutchison, who lived in the house now
owned by James Housman on the State road beyond La Grange
School-house, was the first person buried in this grave-yard.
She was buried in 1843. The increased population of the
town and vicinity demanded better facilities for the burial of
the dead. Hence the organization and incorporation of the
Bellevernon   Cemetery  Association,  Bellevernon,  Pa.,
November 1st, 1866, Denton Lynn, Noah Q. Speers, J. M.
Springer; J. S. Van Voorhis, Daniel Springer and Bazil
Brightwell purchased a lot of ground of James H. Springer for
burial purposes and organized themselves into Bellevernon
Cemetery Association. The above named purchasers were
elected managers, of whom Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis was chosen
President and James M. Springer, Secretary and Treasurer.
A charter for said Association was granted by the Westmoreland County Court, May 13th, 1867. The first meeting of the
3153T1le Old and New Mo?iongahela.
lot holders under the charter was held September 27th, 1867,
and Denton Lynn, Noah Speers, J. S. Van Voorhis, Bazil
Brightwell, and Daniel Springer were elected managers. On
the same day the managers met wad elected J. S. Van Voorhis,
President, N. Q. Speers, Secretary and J. M. Springer,
Treasurer.
The first person buried in these grounds after its purchase
was Abram Smock, who died in the house now occupied by his
widow in Bellevernon, September 24, 1866.  Prior to this
date, however, the ground in a limited space had been known
as the burial place of the Springer family.
The slaves of the Speers family were buried on the point
above the property now owned by James Carnes' heirs, a short
distance above the mouth of Speers' run.  Some of the older
citizens used to speak of a few burials on the high ground not
far from the public school house in North Bellevernon.
In laying out the lots in Bellevernon, the space between
Water street and the river was reserved by the original proprietor, no street but the state road reaching to the river, thus
cutting off the town from all wharf privileges, even remaining
in the ownership of the Speers' descendants to this day, either
by inheritance or purchase.  There is no doubt but the intention originally was to have this river front set apart for wharf
purposes, in the interest of the town.
From the time of the establishment of the ferry its wharf
was used as a landing for trade boats, keel boats and steamboats until 1850 or thereabouts, when, conflicting rights and
privileges forced the boats to go to the glass factory, where
Wm. Eberheart had landing rights, and to which for his own
convenience, he gave free wharfage to all craft. Goods and
produce shipped to and from all points on the river were received and taken from the ferry wharf by the early merchants
and business men of the town. The keel boats of Captain Bob
Ray-Caleb, Harvey, Creekbaum, Anger, Danks, etc., were
objects of great interest to the populace along the river, and
their arrival was watched for eagerly.  Sometimes parties,
316lThe Old and New Alononqgaela.         317
especially military companies, were carried on these boats. A
few of our older citizens still call to mind one unfortunate
excursion. A keel boat in charge of Captain Rogers, loaded
with soldiers, enroute to attend a celebration of some kind in
Pittsburgh, in 1826; in passing the town the swivel on deck
was to be fired as a salute, and as the boat seemed to be midway of the town without the firing, the captain concluded he
would go above to see what was the trouble; just as he raised
his head above the deck, off went the cannon. Samuel Dougherty, a colored man, well known in the community, having excitedly taken the job of putting off the gun from the regular
gunner on duty for that purpose, shot away the back of the
head of the captain, scattered blood, bones and flesh in all
directions.  His body was taken to the front parlor in the residence of Solomon Speers, now the Roley house, where to-day
can be seen traces of the blood on the floor.
Aunt Polly Corwin, in the absence of a doctor, washed and
dressed the dead man's wounds and had the remains in good
condition for burial by the time the friends arrived from
Brownsville overland with the hearse and carriages.
Steamers Louis McLane and C\onsul, the former commanded
by Captain Adam Jacobs and the latter by Captain Samuel
Clarke, were among the first to land at the ferry wharf. The
Baltic and Atlantic for a time also landed here, but shortly
after going to the glass-factory wharf, they gave place in 1852
to the Jefferson and Luzerne.  After the removal of the boat
yard over Speers' run in 1853 the steamboat landing was
changed to the mouth of Third street, where it remained until
the new wharf was graded at the mouth of Second street in
1857. The new wharf was the work of L. M. Speer, who prior
to that date had purchased the space outside of Water street
from Solomon Speers, who had obtained it by will from his
father, Noah Speers. The wharf in a short time became an
affair of profit. For some years there had been growing disposition on the part of the citizens and town council to obtain the
wharf privileges.hie Old and New Monongakela.
To carry out the project a petition was presented to the Fayette County Court, June 23d, 1874, asking for a jury to appraise the value of said privileges.  The Court appointed
James French, W. H. Jones, S. F. Jones, Henry C. Coughenour, J. T. Roley, James Corwin and John Hixenbaugh as
the jury of good and true men, who placed such a value on the
privilege as to render it impracticable to take any further action.
During the proceeding in bankruptcy of L. M.  W. F. Speers,
the wharf rights were sold to J. W. Carothers, of West Virginia, who sold it to Noah Speers; with the exception of the made
wharf at Second street there scarcely remains any space of
that ground reserved in the original plot of the town, it all being washed away by the encroachments of high water. The
two lots now owned by the heirs of George Lang only run to low
water mark and this wise idea gives the heirs full right to use
the river shore as a landing for 120 feet. The wharf-boat for
the use of the packets is moved to the front of these lots.
At this date 1893, Water street only extends north to First
street, between First street and Speers' run there, never has
been any street opened, the ground now being principally occupied by the railroad. At the ferry wharf and along the
river shore quite a number of persons have been drowned,
even within the recollection of citizens now living.
Isaac Boles, who lived on Water street just above Strawberry
alley long ago, was drowned on his return from a corn husking
over the river at Henry Speers' farm.  In company of others
he attended the husking, but having imbibed a little too freely
of spirits, which was so generally used at that time, he tarried
behind his companions. On arriving at the river he found by
the absence of the skiff that they had gone over. He took off
his clothes and shoes, and in attempting to swim across was
drowned in front of his home. The finding of his clothes told
the story. The discovery of a skeleton buried in the river bank
opposite the glass works induced the belief that some one had
been drowned before Boles. In 1856 or 1857 a little daughter
of Peter Corwin was drowned at the ferry wharf. She was
318The Old and New Xonongahela.
attending the school of Miss Tower, who taught in the store
room of now the Roley house. In about 1862 John Speers, of
Dunbar; Harvey Bryner, of this town, and Josiah Van Voorhis, of Washington county, in attempting to cross the river in
the night in a small flat, at the ferry were thrown out by its
upsetting, and although only a few feet from the shore Van
Voorhis was drowned. The other two in some way reached
the shore, although neither of them could swim. Speers and
Bryner have since died. Whilst playing at the same wharf
August 25, 1881, little Fannie, daughter of M. H. Arters, was
drowned. Her body was recovered by Thomas W. Dean. In
1877, Van, son of the late Samuel Hammett, was drowned
from a raft of logs above Third street. His body was recovered by John Raum., In 1880 a stranger, a laborer on the
railroad, was drowned just above Speers' landing, opposite
town.
In the fall of 1883 Resin Fox was drowned at the ferry
wharf by jumping from the flat as it was about to go down with
a load of cattle. His body was recovered by Curtis Reppert.
This was the first person ever drowned who worked about the
ferry.  On the 9th of November, 1876, Capt. O. D. Johnson
was drowned off the steamer Athletic, near Gibsonton wharf.
His body was recovered the next day by Capt. W. W. Williams.  In 1885 a son of Henry King was drowned at Third
street wharf by going through the ice. In 1846 a boy named
Dunlevy, a nephew of the late Andrew Dunlevy, was drowned
at Lock No. 4. He was learning the tailor trade with James
Hagerty, of Bellevernon. Hagerty, Dr. Johnson, Dunlevy
and some others were fishing. Dunlevy had gone above for
some purpose and the remaining party was apprised of something being wrong by the empty skiff floating over the dam.
After a search of many hours his body was recovered. Just
above this dam and a short distalnce below the Rostraver coal
works a child of John Foulkes was drowned not long since.
A stranger from Pittsburgh was drowned a few years since in
front of the present town of Charleroi. The venerable Joseph
3193T2he Old and Yew  olYionongahela.
Crow committed suicide by drowning just above Maple creek,
many years ago. A little child of James Huttenhour, of
Bellevernon, was drowned some twenty-seven years ago near
the present residence of Wm. Spharr, and not far from the
Gibsonton wharf a man was drowned from one of the packets,
some twenty years ago. His body was recovered by James
Camrns.
Long ago in keelboat times a Captain of one of these crafts
was drowned near the glass works and near the same place in
after years an intoxicated man fell into the river from one of
the keelboats and though the water was very shoal he drowned,
having fallen face downward and was unable to extricate himself. In April 1866, Thomas W. Dean discovered the body of
James H. Housman floating in the river just above the glass
works cinder pile. He was a citizen of Fayette City, was
killed by one Thairwell, who was hanged for the crime. A
stranger and Joseph Archibald were drowned about the
same year near Tremont Coal Works, over twenty years
ago.  In later years, Mary, daughter of David Davis, and her
little child were drowned just above town by the upsetting of
a skiff, in which were also her father and mother, the latter
two reaching the shore in safety.
A man named House was drowned in June, 1845, at the
mouth of Maple Creek, by getting entangled in a fish seine. He
lived in a log house that stood above the old Peter W. Shepler
farm, now owned by heirs of Esquire Swabb. July 4th, 1868,
a Mr. O'Neal was drowned by falling in the river whilst pushing a flat through Lock No. 4. A little son of George Tabron
was drowned June 29th, 1885, by falling from a board raft
above the glass works. Many years ago the oldest child of
William Reeves-a little girl-was drowned in a vat in the tan
yard, now property of the heirs of George Lang, deceased.
320The Old and New JMnonaahela.          321
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbyterian church had its first introduction into the
"Forks of Yough" on the arrival of Rev. James Finley from
the east in 1765, although he did not permanently reside in his
new home until 1783.  The result of his initiative labors was
the organization of Round Hill and Rehoboth churches, in the
year 1778. He died January 6th, 1795, when the site on
which Bellevernon now is situated was an unbroken forest. We
have no data on which to base any belief that he ever
preached to the pioneers on the river.  About sixty years ago
Rehoboth congregation  appointed  elders Michael Finley
and William Bigham to visit the village of Bellevernon and
inquire into the expediency and propriety of erecting a church
building, so as to have a point for stated preaching. After
looking over the matter fully the committee reported against
the enterprise, but recommended occasional preaching at private
houses in the town and neighborhood. Rev. Robert Johnson,
pastor of Rehoboth, preached at long intervals in the house of
Abner Reeves, whose wife was a member of his church. The
house stood almost on the space now occupied by the new residence of Leonard Luce in Rostraver township, about one mile
and a half from town. Rev. N. H. Gillette, who succeeded
Rev. Johnson as pastor in 1834, preached frequently in the old
Methodist church on corner of Water street and Cherry
alley, now used as a dwelling on the corner of Cherry and
Long alleys.
Rev. J. R. Hughes and his successor, Rev. L. Y. Graham,
as pastors of Rehoboth, oftentimes held services in the frame
Methodist Episcopal church building on Water street, above
Strawberry alley; it is now owned and occupied by the Disciples. In the summer of 1868, John B. Cook, E. F. Housman
and L. M. Speer were appointed by Rehoboth to go on the
ground and inquire into the propriety of erecting a house of
worship in Bellevernon. The committee considered the matter
with favor, but the effort only resulted in the renting of theThle Old an,d New iYnonqahela.              27
cessful physician in Franklin, Ohio; George T. Miller is a
wealthy coal dealer in this valley, near Lock No. 2; he is
the father of Rev. Miller, of the Presbytery of Blairsville;
Dr. W. H. King was one of the most distinguished surgeons
and physicians in Western Pennsylvania; he died a few years
since in the prime of manhood; his remains are sleeping calmly
in the beautiful cemetery overlooking his native town; Francis
Gardner remains in stat,u qo on the farm in the bend of the
river below  Elkhorn; Janmes Scott, one of llazzard's early
pupils, studied medicine with Dr. Biddle in the little old office
that stood where Hoffmnan's store now is.  Ile first practiced
his profession in Greenfield, Pa. moved to Ohio, where as physician and politician, he has always occupied a high position.
For many years he was a leading member of the Ohio Legislature; was consul at Honolulu for a term, and is now again a
member of the legislature, where, as Nestor of that body, he
is recognized as the leading spirit.  He is a brother of the late
Alex. Scott, of this city.  Thomas Hodgson, grandson of the
good old J. R. Shugart, is a talented and successful minister in
the lM. E. Church.  Cyrus B. King is a physiciain in Allegheny,
and at this time one of the visiting surgeons of the West Penn
Hospital.  Geo. P. Fulton, at the age of seventeen, devoted
himself to teaching, and has pursued it ever since, except
whilst in the army during the war. He has just been elected for
the eleventh time Principal of the Hiland public schools, East
End, in city of Pittsburgh.  Thomas P. Gordon, son of the
late Judge Gordon, was the first college graduate in the town,
having graduated at Jefferson College in 1833.  He was a
minister, and died at his post of duty in Terre Haute, Indiana.
He was the only native of this city who ever received the
honorary degree of D. D.  He was a brother of Mrs. Sloan,
who is a resident of this city.   Want of physical vigor
alone prevents her presence to-nlight.  May her last be the
crowning years, and niay the happy thought of a well-spent
life be her consolation.  Thomas T. Williams, was a school
boy at Blake  Hazzard's; is niow a successful medical prac27322           The Old and New i3fonongahela.
old Methodist building, and for a time services were held in it.
Among the Presbyterian ministers who preached in this old
church at differenlt times in its history were Dr. Gillette, Dr.
N. West, Dr. Brownson, Dr. Sloan, Dr. Allison, Dr. M'Laren,
Revs. J. R. Hughes, L. Y. Graham, J. H. Stevenson, Jame-s
P. Fulton, and others whose names we cannot recall.  The
venerable Dr. David McConnaughy, president of Washington
College, preached one sermon in 1848 in the old church corner
of Water street and Cherry alley.
In July, 1869, the members of the Presbyterian church in
Bellevernon and vicinity determined to have a' church building.
Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis undertook to raise the money, and how
he succeeded the sequel told the fact of a neat little church
complete and paid for.  A lot on the corner of First and Main
streets, 60x50 feet, was presented by L. M. Speer. After receiving bids for the construction of the building, the contract
was awarded L. M. Speer for $2,000, and at his own expense he added to the edifice the spire and weather-vane complete.  Dr, 3. S. Van Voorhis, as chairman of the building
committee, superintended the work. The foundation excavation for the stonework was commenced on the 7th day of August, 1869, and the whole building was completed and furnished
before the 19th day of December of the same year, on which
day it was dedicated free of debt. The masonwork was done
by Thomas Hagerty and brothers, and the carpenter work under
the contractor by J. R. Powell, of California, and Sansom B.
Miller, Bellevernon. The glass for the windows was presented
by R. C. Schmertz  Co., of their own manufacture.
The painting was the work of John Hatfield, of Brownsville,
now of Columbus, Ohio. The funds for the furnishing of the
church were raised by Mary Speer, Lizzie Van Voorhis, Mrs.
Margaret Kyle and Mattie Miller, amountinlg in all to $297.70.
The ladies had remaining on hand after buying all needed furniture $6.44, which they transferred to the building fund.
The bell and furnace were purchased with the building funds.
A. Fulton  Son sold to the cornmittee the bell; it wasThe Old an,d!  ew ionongaAhela.
moulded for a church in Williamsport, Md., which accounts
for the name on it. The clock was presented by Mrs. Wm.
Scott. The Bible and hymn-book by Mrs. Eliza Hair, wife of
Rev. G. M. Hair, of McKeesport, but shortly afterwards pastor of Rehoboth.
This church building was constructed by the voluntary act of.
the members of the Presbyterian church in Bellevernon and vicinity, independent of any organization.  It was intended for a
place of worship as preaching might be given by Rehoboth
congregation, which had been and was proposed to continue
the custom of services one Sabbath afternoon out of three.
Rev. L. Y. Graham was now pastor. The 19th day of December, 1869, was appointed for the dedication of the new
church, and Rev. Graham invited Rev. G. M. Hair to aid in
the service. That Sabbath day at the hour of 11 o'clock, A.
M. found the house crowded.  The invocation and dedicatory
prayer was pronounced by the Rev. L. Y. Graham and the
sermon by Rev. G. M. Hair. Miss Lizzie Van Voorhis had
formed a choir consisting of Misses Kate Barkman, Olivia
Barkman, Mirtilda Brown, Galena Bunting, Josie Sills, and
Messrs. A. S. Woodrow, L. H. Reeves, W. A. Coughanour,
and others perhaps, whose names we cannot recall, over which
she presided as organist. The organ was loaned by Mrs. L.
M. Speer until a new one could be purchased. Under arrangement Rev. Graham preached each alternate Sabbath afternoon,
until Septembar 24th, 1871, when he preached his last sermon
in-the Bellevernon church, having resigned the pastorate of
Rehoboth.  Under his ministry a large number of persons in
the town and vicinity united with the church.  Candidates for
Rehoboth now occasionally preached as circumstances would
arise. Rev. G. M-. Hair having accepted a call to Rehoboth
entered upon his duties as pastor September Ist, 1872, and on
the 8th of the same month preached in Bellevernon church for
the first time since he became pastor, and continued to preach
at stated intervals during his pastorate.
August, 1872, Rev. L. Y. Graham, formerly pastor, preached
323The Old and Newl Mlononqa/lela.
to a crowded house.  He baptized Bettie P. Cunningham,
daughter of J. C. and Lizzie Van Voorhis Cunningham.  This
was the first child ever baptized in the church.  Among the
ministers, besides the pastors, who preached in this church
during its connection with Rehoboth, we call to mind Revs.
Wm. Wilson, Wood, of the Cumberland church, Robert H.
Fulton, Eben Caldwell, J. F. Boyd, W. G. Nevin, Mitchell,
E. P. Lewis, Dickey, J. H. Flannigan, W. 11. Gill, W. Campbell, W. V. Kean, Andrews, R. R. Gaily and Rev. Morton.
The first funeral services in the church were those of little
Noah Bright Abel, March 9, 1873.
The continued prosperity of the church enterprise and the
bright future predicted by some of the more enthusiastic, induced a determination to ask the proper authorities to organize
a separate church in Bellevernon.  Some of the older members were very unwilling to sever their connection with the
mother church, but in the end yielded to the majority, with
grave doubts as to the propriety of the change.
For many years Win. Hasson, the father of John C. LHasson,
was the only member of the Presbyterian church residing in
Bellevernon.  In April, 1848, Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis and
wife were taken into the church at Rehoboth utder the ministry
of Rev;.,N. H. Gillet. These three composed the Presbyterian
family in the town for many years.  The town and vicinity at
the change was represented by about sixty members, which increase was the great reason for a separate organization.  On
Tuesday, December 2nd, 1873, the Presbytery of Redstone
met in Bellevernon, being its first meeting in the town.  At
this meeting the question of the organization of a church in
Bellevernon was presented, and after some little discussion a
committee consisting of Rev. G. M1. Hair, of Rehoboth, Rev.
R. R. Gaily, of Redstone, and elder Alexander Rankin, of
Rehoboth, was appointed to organize said church if the way
be clear. This committee inet on Thursday evening, December
11th, 1873, and in due form constituted the First Presbyterian
Church, of Bellevernon. Dr. I. C. IHazlett, R. J. Linton and
324The Old and Xew Mionongahelaa.        325
S. F. Jones were elected elders. The two former were ordained
and installed, Mr. Jones being only installed, as he had served
as an elder in Rehoboth. The following persons were received
by certificate from Rehoboth, viz: D. B. Johnson, Mrs. E. S.
Van Voorhis, James French, Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis, Sarah
Johnson, L. M. Speers, Fannie S. Speers, Celia G. Speers, S.
F. Jones, S. E. Jones, R. J. Linton, Caroline S. Linton,
Nancy Smock, Ellen McFall, Margaret Garrison, Harriet Patterson, Lizzie V. Cunilingham, I. C. Hazlett, Samuel Clarke,
Anna Clarke, Maria E. Hughes, Jennie French, W. F. Speers,
Mary P. Speers, W. P. Mackey, Samuel McJain, S. McKain,
Agnes McAlpin, Mary Smock, Elizabeth Lucas, Nancy Sheets,
Maggie McFall, Jane Hopkins, Alvira M. Furnier, Mary E.
Cook, Susan C. Wise, James McAlpin, John McAlpin, Jennie
Jones, Sarah Barkman, Philip Smock, W. B. McAlpin, Olive
Barknman, Lavinia Smock, W. McFall, Robert McFall and
Charlotte Hammett.  From  other churches:  W. F. Morgan and wife and Mary C. Alter; in all, fifty-one.  Of this
number, at this date, December, 1890, fourteen are deceased.
Rev. G. M. Jlair, of Rehoboth, continued to preach for the
new church organization until June 1, 1874, at which time he
ceased to be pastor of Rehoboth. The Bellevernon church called
Rev. A. B. Lowes, who was installed as the first pastor October
28, 1874. He remained connected with the church until Sept.
1, 1882. The present pastor (1893) Rev. Perrin Baker was
called Jan. 10, 1883, and iinstalled May 3, 1883. From the day
he entered upon his duty Rev. Baker infused new life into the
church, and through his ministry a large number have been
added to the membership   His wife died at the parsonage in
North Bellevernon Novbmber 27, 1885. December 21, 1881,
W. F. Morgan was added to the session, and in April, 1886,
Dr. I. C. Hazlett, one of the original elders, was dismissed at
his own request to the church at Uniontowiin, to which place he
had moved his residence.  This congregation was chartered by
the courts of Fayette county March 11, 1876.  Of the two
families who took the most active part in the erection of the
23The Old and New Jonongahela.
church building, not one at this time (1893) is a member. L.
M. Speers has passed away, and his family removed to other
parts. Dr. Van Voorhis and family, at their own request, were
dismissed to Rehoboth December, 1875.
To L. M. Speers more than any one else the Presbyterians
are indebted for this church building, and we trust his
memory will ever occupy a green spot in the hearts of those
who worship within its doors.
THE CUNNINGHAM  FAMILY.
James Cunningham was born in Merrittstown, Fayette county, Pa., July 26, 1812, and died on his farm near that place
April 5, 1888.
In 1835 he married Rosanna Muir, who was born March 28,
1811, and died September 8, 1885. During his early days
James Cunningham taught school; then learned the blacksmith
trade, and finally abandoned it and turned his attention to
farming, in which occupation he was engaged until his death.
He was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church near
Merrittstown until 1880, when he withdrew to become a member of the Dunlaps Creek Presbyterian church, in which he was
elected a ruling elder. He served his county prominently during his life, holding many offices, the last being commissioner
for two terms. He had six children. Mary Jane, born November 2, 1836, married Isaiah N. Craft. Of their two children,
Harry Clyde was born March 7, 1862, and died September 28,
1865. Ewing 0. was born October 17, 1859, and married
Emma Krepps October 17, 1883. They have two children,
Clara Pauline, born April 19, 1887, afid Edgar W., born July
30, 1891.
John C., oldest son of James Cunningham, was born September 27, 1838; married March 30, 1871, M. Lizzie, daughter of Dr. J. S. and E. S. Van Voorhis, of Bellevernon, Pa.
She was born in Bellevernon, Pa., Juue 30, 1848, and died
November 26, 1877. Their daughter, Bettie Plumer, was the
326Tlhe Old and New Monono-gahela.
only child. Bettie Plumer was born January 24, 1872. She
graduated from the Pennsylvania College for Women, Pittsburgh, in June, 1891, and was married te David Stewart June
22, 1893. John C. has been for nearly thirty years a prominent
and successful merchant in Bellevernon.
Alfred, son of James Cunningham, married Laura Springer,
daughter of James M. Springer, of Bellevernon. They have
three children, Clyde, Lillian and Mary.
Martha Acklin, Sara Margaret and Anna Eliza, daughters of
James Cunningham, are unmarried. The former resides in the
family of I. N. Craft, and the others own and live on the home
farm near Hopewell church.
Thomas Cunningham the great-grandfather of James Cunningham, emigrated from Ireland before the war of the revolution. He settled in that part of Chester county which was
included withinr the limits of Lancaster county on its formation
in 1729. His son James, in whom we are especially interested
in this sketch, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in
December, 1747. Before the outbreak of the Revolution,
James Cunningham came from Lancaster county to what is now
Washington county, where he toma-hawked a claim near the
site of the present town of Washington. After building a house
and doing a little clearing he returned to Lancaster to make
ready for a return trip to his proposed new settlement.  On
his returin in the fall of that year, he found his claim already
occupied.   He abandoned the idea of settlement in the
western part of the state and bought a farm  in Lancaster
county where he remained until the war. He entered the U. S.
Army in June, 1776, in Captain Calhoun's company which
served under Colonel Clantz.  In 1792 he joined his brother
John in Fayette county.  He built the stone house near Merrittstown, owned by Armstrong Porter, now deceased.
James died in 1832, leaving two sons and two daughters,
John and William, Jane and Isabel. Jane married William
Gallagher and Isabel married David Porter. John boated on
the Monongahela river for his father and uncle and died at an
327The Old and New Xonongahela.
early age. William was born in 1783, and September 3, 1811,
married Mary Gallagher, who was born July 3, 1788, and died
October 23, 1822.
In 1810 he opened a store in Merrittstown.  He also built
the house known as the Baird residence. His establishment
was known as the "Centennial Store, " and as he had other
business interests to look after he employed John Gallagher
and Benjamin Barton as clerks. He also owned the grist mill
property, to which he attached a fulling mill. He served as
County Commissioner, U. S. District Marshall, and was an
excise officer for some years. In 1817 he moved to his farm
near Merrittstown, on which he died June 2, 1819. He had
four children, John, Ann, Eliza and James, whose history we
have given in the beginning of this article. Eliza died unmarried. Ann married James Work and died July 12, 1885.
They had eight children. George, Belle, Clara and Sallie are
dead; Jane is unmarried; Margaret, Martha and Alexander
are married. John married Mary Muer. Of their six children
William, Emma and Robert are dead. Eliza never married.
Jane and Elizabeth are married.
John, the other son of Thomas Cunningham, of whom we
have record, after enduring for many years hardships in the
war, among them being captured by the enemy and carried on
a prison ship to a distant fort, settled in Luzerne township,
Fayette county, Pa., and carried on a successful business in
that township until 1820. He died in the old stone house
built by James Cunningham, in 1830, at the age of 87 years,
remaining always a bachelor, and bearing wherever known the
title of "Uncle John."  He was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, with Albert Gallatin, from 1793 to 1805, and
from 1805 to 1807, and declined to appear any more as a
candidate.
328The Old and New Jionongahela.
BELLEVERNON SABBATH SCHOOL.
The first meeting for the purpose of establishing a Sabbath
school in the First Presbyterian Church of Bellevernon, was
held December 26th, 1869.  The organization was completed
by the election of Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis, superintendent; N.
Q. Speers, assistant superintendent; William A. Coughanour,
secretary; W. P. Mackey, librarian and treasurer; Mrs. J. S.
Van Voorhis, Mrs. L. M. Speers, Mrs. R. C. Byers, Misses
Celia Speers, Lizzie Van Voorhis, Mary Speers, Angeline
Hasson, Kate Barkman, Mary Bradman and Mattie Miller were
elected teachers. Of the number Miss Lizzie Van Voorhis,
married to J. C. Cunninghain, is deceased, having died
November 26th, 1877; and Miss Mary Bradman, the date of
whose death we do not know; and Mrs. Kate Barkman
also.   Messrs.  R.  J.  Linton,  Alexander  Brown, N.
Q. Speers, W. F. Speers and J. W. Morgan were elected
teachers; and of these Mr. Linton alone is now (1893)
connected with the school. January 9th, 1870, the school was
in full operation, with 100 scholars present. January 16th the
secretary reported 126 scholars in attenldanlce, and says in his
remarks: i"Very good attendance of both scholars and teachers,
but a lack of a number of teachers.  There appears to be such
an interest manifested by the citizens as will crown the school
with success. " January 23rd additional teachers were elected.
March  20th, 1870, William  A. Coughanour resigned the
secretaryship, and W. C. Byers was elected in his place. Mr.
Coughanour, in a day or two afterwards, left for his new home
in Idaho.
The necessity for a library was very apparent, and in order
to obtain funds for the purpose, Alex. Brown, W. P. Mackey
and W. A. Coughanour were, January 23, 1870, appointed a
committee to solicit subscriptions and the result was the start
made in the direction of books.  April 17 a committee consisting of J. T. Shepler, Virgil Miller and W. C. Byers with
Misses Celia G. Speers, Kate Barkman and Lizzie Van Voor329The Old and New JJfonongahela.
his, was appointed to canvas for funds to add to the library,
who reported May lst that $190.00 had been raised. The
committee was authorized to purchase more books which, with
those already on hands, formed a good sized library; and the
fact is that at no time since the organization of this missionary
Sabbath School had there been any difficulty in raising
funds for its benefit.  June 19th, the secretary reported 153
scholars in attendance and not a teacher absent, with increasing interest in the school. The organ loaned by Mrs. L. M.
Speers being returned to her on November 20th, the music was
carried on without an instrument. -Miss Lizzie Van Voorhis
by individual subscriptions and musical concerts determined to
raise funds for a new organ. The friends of the school responded nobly and the organ was purchased by her from C. C.
Mellor, of Pittsburgh, at a cost of $290, of which she contributed $90. The new organ was used for the first time in the
Sabbath School December 4, 1870, in the hymn " Sabbath
School Battle Song."
The first year of the school closed December 25th, 1870,
with flattering prospects.  The greatest daily attendance of
scholars during the year was 153. and the lowest 36. The
average daily attendance was 100.46. January lst, 1871, being the day of election of officers, Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis was
elected superintendent; N. Q. Speers, assistant; W. P. Mackey, librarian; A. L. Brown, secretary. April 2nd, 1871,
Miss Olivia Barkman acted as assistant organist for the first
time. In the progress of the school, James French, J. C.
Cunningham, J. C. Hasson, H. Patterson, W. F. Morgan,
L. Z. Birmingham, A. S. Woodrow, William Scott, and others
whose names we can not recall, were added as teachers. At
the beginning of this year prizes of a Bible were offered to the
scholars who should attend every day during the year. On
January 28th, 1872, 32 Bibles were awarded to different
scholars for attendance during the past year, the class of James
French receiving the largest number. The year 1871 closed
with an average daily attendance of 99.1; the greatest attend330The Old and New Monongahela.
ance being 136, and the least 54. The superintendent presented teacher French with a copy of Cruden's Concordance
for the largest average class for the year.  January 7th, 1872,
the old officers re-elected, excepting R. J. Linton was elected
assistant superintendent.  January 12th, 1873, old officers reelected, excepting S. F. Jones was elected assistant superintendent. February 2nd, another addition to the library, which
gave it a very interesting size, and the new books were of more
than ordinary interest.  The record of 1873 is not very full,
and hence much of interest no doubt is lost.
December 7, 1873, was the last day of this missionary Sabbath school, which was organized January 2, 1870; it was on
the 14th taken under the general supervision of the First Presbyterian church of Bellevernon and became a Presbyterian
Sabbath school. Mr. S. F. Jones was elected superintendent,
and continues as such to this day, 1893. The superintendent of
the missionary school in his closing remarks December 7, 1873,
said: " May the Lord bless the infant church and infuse new
life into the Sabbath school under the new organization, and
may it indeed become the nursery of the church in which may
grow up many precious souls for Christ."
The history of those who were connected with the first organization of this school is of interest no doubt to many of their
friends. Mrs. L. M. Speers and her three boys are now living
in Wooster, Ohio; Celia G. Speers married Rev. R. B. Porter,
and is residing in the presbytery of Allegheny; Mary Speers
married Rev. T. S. Parks, and lives in Illinois; Lizzie Van
Voorhis married J. C. Cunningham, and died November 26,
1877; Mary Bradman is deceased; Olivia Barkman married L. H.
Reeves, and is a resident of Coal Center, Pa.; Harriet Patterson
married W. H. Noble, and resides in Pittsburgh, Pa.; W.
F. Speers, deceased in 1893, and his family reside in Pittsburgh; N. Q. Speers and family at Benvenue, near Pittsburgh;
Mattie Miller is residing in Missouri; Kate Barkman married
L. R. Boyle, who died in 1890, and she died in 1893. Angeline Hasson is a resident of North Bellevernon; Mrs. R. C.
3318The Old and New _Monongahela.
titioner at White College, Greene county, Pa., where for
twenty-three years he has physicked Democrats and Republicails to their stomach's content.  Dr. J. M. H Gordon has
long been a physician in Fayette county. Alonzo Linn, brother
of Dr. Linn, a worthy member of your Board, was one of
Hazzard's scholars; he graduated at Jefferson College; studied
divinity; was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Redstone; is now Vice-President and Professor of Greek in
Washington and Jefferson College, and is looked upon as one
of the most learned Greek scholars in the nation.  M. P.
Morrison is your oldest resident physician, al.d if mly eyesight
does not deceive me, the frosty tinge noticeable on his head
should remind him that it is not good for man to be alone.
The mild and genial James P. Fulton is preaching to the
pioneer sinners of Harper, Kansas, after having served his
Master in that capacity for over a quarter century in the old
Keystone State. Robert Officer is a successful business man
in Baltimore, Md., and Uncle Abe Underwood is still a resident of your city, and looks but little older than he did when
a student in the old carriage factory, forty-one years ago.
There, too, is my old friend, Frank Manown; he has seen the
old log school house, the old red house, the old brick house,
the new brick house over the street, and the present palace.
He claims to be one of the oldest resident scholars. His early
education consisted in plying the oar at the old ferry.  In his
early days he was much engaged in mercantile and other pursuits, but for a loing season his occupation has been that of a
farmer and attendinlg to the wants of those around him-kind
and generous to a fault.  He and C. C. Johnson, of Pittsburgh, are the only survivolrs of those who occupied what was
known as the bachelor's pew in the 61d Presbyterian Church
at the foot of the hill.  At the close of his day's labor, he still
can be seen in his regular walk over the bridge to spend a few
hours with his friends in the city.
A peculiar fondness for education has ever characterized the
citizens of this city, and tlhus their early literary spirit gave
28Tie Old and New Monongahela.
Byers is a citizen of Monongahela City; Virgil Miller died
before his father's fanlily left for the West, and his remains
are buried at Rehoboth; Dr. W. C. Byers is practicing his profession in Pittsbuigh; A. S. Woodrow is in Warren, Ohio.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF BELLEVERNON.
The Methodist Episcopal was the pioneer church organization in Bellevernon, and to it we owe the largest share of our
early religious character. We have no definite date fixing when
or who preached the first sermon in the town, but it is known
on reliable authority, that the Rev. J. G. Sansom did preach
as early as 1830, in the house now owned by W. P. Mackey,
on Main Street.  In 1834 the village was taken into the Redstone circuit which at that time extended from Elizabeth, in
Allegheny, to Upper Middletown, in Fayette county. Rev.
Robert Hopkins was the presiding elder and John H. Ebbert,
Warner Long and Isaac Macabee were the ministers.  On the
5th day of October, 1834, Rev. J. H. Ebbert organized the
first class in the town, composed of Barnet Corwin, John Corwin, Rebecca Jacobs, Eleanor Corwin, Sabina Gaskill, Katherine Ward, Jane Corwin, and Grace McFall. November 14th,
1834, William Hutchinson joined the class which increased the
membership to nine. Rev. Ebbert was the first leader. He
was succeeded by Robert Dumain. Preaching was supplied by
the above named preachers every three weeks in the house
owned then by Samuel Reeves, but recently by James Davidson,
on Main Street; in Morgan Gaskill's house, now owned by R.
C. Schmertz, on Water Street above Locust Alley; in John
Corwin's house now owned by the heirs of Thompson Patterson; in the house now owned by heirs of John Hutton, and
sometimes they held services in Rostraver, at the house of the
late Samuel Reeves, now owned by W. J. Manown, and occupied by Elliott Minney.
Grace McFall is the only member living, 1893, of the original
class. After the erection of the brick school house, in 1836,
which stood for so long a time on the lot on which Thomas D.
332iThe Old and New Jfi[ononga/hela.
Lehew's house now is, the appointment was moved to this
house, where preaching was often held.  During the time the
class was held in that house, Jesse Fell was the leader. He
lived in the old log house which stood near the present brick
house in Rostraver township, owned by the heirs of Fairman,
of Allegheny City. He moved long ago to Ohio, and died
near Cleveland. He was a brother of the mother of William
Jones, now a prominent member of this church. In 1840
Peter Swearer and his brother John, both of whom are now
deceased, became residents of the town and joined the class,
and very shortly aferwards the appointment was changed to
the house of John Swearer, but in which house he lived in
at that time we are not informed.  We do know that in 1847
he occupied one of the houses in the long row, upper end of
Main street, and subsequently he resided in the house first now
above Fourth, on Main street.  In about the year 1841 the
brick church building, now owned by Harrison Husher, on the
corner of Main and First streets, was erected.  Hugh Ford,
Benjamin Thomas and Solomon Speers were the building committee. This was only used as a church for a short time, owing
to its unsafe condition.
It was sold and bid in by Thomas Taggart, the contractor.
Many ridiculous incidents are related of the last meeting held
in this building. During the time meetings were held here,
Rev. D. L. Dempsy, Josiah Adams and Samuel Dunlap were
the principal preachers.  In 1842 the frame building, corner
of Water street and Cherry alley, was purchased from William
Reeves, who had kept store in it. This, after its purchase, was
speedily converted into a church; to whom the deed was made
in trust for the church we are not able to discover.  In 1850
Cookstown and Bellevernon were stricken from the Redstone
circuit, and made into a station with Rev. J. F. Nessly as
preacher.  Rev. Nessly resided in the house in Bellevernon
standing now on the corner of Long and Cherry alleys, but at
that time was on Main street, where the store of Abe Lewis
is now, 1893.
3333The Old and Netw iflonongahela.
The first quarterly conference of Cookstown and Bellevernon
Station was held in Cookstown, September 7th, 1850.  Members present were Rev. Z. H. Costen, P. E.; Rev. J. F. Nessly,
preacher in charge; Samuel Hassler, local preacher; - exhorter,
James Davidson, class leaders, Jesse Jackman, Michael Slotterbeck, William Winters and James Davidson.   At this
meeting Dr. C. H. Connally, S. McCrory, M. Slotterbeck,
John Mullin and Adam Shunk were elected stewards for the
circuit; and on the recommendation of the charge at Bellevernon, Mr. James Davidson was licensed to preach the
Gospel.
The Second Quarterly Conference of this station was held in
Bellevernon, December 21st, 1850, present Rev. Z. H. Coston, P. E.; Rev. J. F. Nessly, preacher in charge; James
Davidson, local preacher; John Swearer, exhorter; classleaders, Thomas Fields, Jesse Jackman, Geo. B. Cook, Anthony Hazelbaker and William Winters. At this meeting in
addition to Frederick Shively and Anthony Hazelbaker already
acting Van Reeves, Adam Shunk, John Mullin, William Lewis
and John Swearer were elected trustees to the new church in
Bellevernon. The trustees purchased the lot on Water Street
above Strawberry Alley from Wm. Eberheart for $125, and
sold to him the old church for $300.  On the first day of
March 1852, Wm. Eberheart, the contractor for the new church,
rendered to the trustees his account, viz:-Wm. Eberheart in
account with the M. E. Church, of Bellevernon, Dr.-To cash
as subscription, $69; U. Ward amount subscribed, $10; Hartranft subscription, $5; Phillip Smock, $2; cash as per subscription, $80.50; L. M. Speers, $15; L. M. Speers for J. Beazell,
$5; cash as per subscription, $13; Thomas Fields' subscription,
$5; Ziba Whiting's reduction on stone, $4; Methodist Church
per bill, $300; Wm. Eberheart his amount as subscription for
self and hands, $228; Ziba Whiting's order for amount, $42;
cash as per subscription receipts, $156; total, $934.50.  Cr.
-By one lot, $125; Ziba Whiting building church per contract of Wm. Eberheart, $775; Uriah Ward amount assumed
334The Old and New Mononqgahela.
by Wm. Eberheart, as payment, $150; total, $1,050; leaving
a balance due Wm. Eberheart of $115.50. August 31st, 1852.
Received payment in full. W. Eberheart.
To William Eberheart the church was very much indebted
for this building, and his liberality was highly appreciated.
At the time the deed of this church was reported to the Quarterly Conference, there were present Z. H. Coston, P. E.;
Peter F. Jones preacher in charge; James Davidson, local
preacher; class leaders and stewards, M. G. Ebbert, Johnson
Noble, Alex Fleming, M. Sloterbeck, Geo. B. Cook, Adam
Shunk, O. H. P. Scott and Wm. Winters. Of these are dead
all except one and of the trustees not one are living at this
date, June 20th, 1887.
Of the stewards elected September 7th, 1850, only one is
living out of the five. We can find no special record of the
services first held in this new church, other than that Rev.
Peter F. Jones was the preacher in charge, and Rev. Z. H.
Coston was presiding elder.  No formal dedication took place
as we are informed. We are indebted to Rev. James Davidson for the list of preachers, not heretofore named, who were
on the circuit up to 1847, and from that date to this day, 1893.
They are as follows, viz: Rev. Alcinus Young, B. F. Sawhill,
Thomas Baker, Moses Hill, Moses Jamison, David Hess,
Josiah Mansell, George W. Cranage, Thomas Jamison, Richard
Armstrong, Westley Smith, David Sharp, Henry Kern, Martin
Ruter and John J. Moffit.  We have but two of the presiding
elders during that time, viz: Revs. Samuel Wakefield and J.
J. Swayzie. The preachers from  1847 to the present time,
1893, are as follows, viz:
1847-48. Revs. J. G. Sansom, Josiah Mansell and George
W. Cranage.
1849-50. Revs. J. F. Nessly and John Coil.
1851-52. Rev. Peter F. Jones. Z. H. Coston, P. E.
1853. Rev. J. Borbridge.
1854. Rev. D. Rhodes. Franklin Moore, P. E.
1855-56.  Rev. John Williams.
335The Old and New Xonongahela.
1857. Rev. Joseph Horner. J. G. Sansom, P. E.
1858-59. Rev. John C. Brown.
1860-61.  Rev. George Crook.  R. Hopkins, P. E.
1862-63. Rev. James Hollingshead.
1864-65. Rev. M. L. Weekly.
1866. Rev. J. F. Jones.
1867. Revs. C. H. Edwards, C. A. Holmes. A. J.
Endsley, P. E.
1868-69.  Rev. E. Williams.
1870-71-72.  Rev. E. B. Griffin.
1873-74-75. Rev. M. McK. Garret.  L. R. Beacom, P. E.
1876-77. Rev. N. P. Kerr. This was called the short
term, owing to changing of the meeting of conference from
March to September.
1878-79. Rev. S. W. Davis.
1880-81-82. Rev. A. P. Leonard.
1883-84-85. Rev. J. B. Uber.
1886. Rev. George A. Sheets.
1889-91. Rev. Robert Cartwright.
1891-93. Rev. I. H. Pershing.
Rev. J. G. Sansom died in Brownsville May 4th, 1861, after
43 years of active work in the ministry.   Rev. B. F. Sawhill
has been 20 years at work.  Thomas Baker died in Ohio
couniity, W. Va., in 1845.   George W. Cranage died in 1882
in Pittsburgh. Josiah Mansell is still living, and now stationed
at Upper Middletown, Fayette county, and has been in the
ministry 41 years. Thomas Jamison died at Senecaville, Ohio,
November 3rd, 1851. Richard Armstrong died aged 84 at
Freeport, Pa., August 19th, 1859.  Westley Smith is dead.
David Hess died at Pittsburgh in 1873, after an effective career
of 36 years in the service.  Henry Kern died at Mt. Pleasant,
Iowa, in 1872.   Martin Ruter died at Washington, Texas, in
1838.   John J. Moffit died in Uniontown, from an injury, in
1881, after a service of 40 years.
Samuel Wakefield resides in West Newton, Pa., and although
he has been in active work for over seventy-five years, he is
336The Old and Xew  f'onongahela.
still vigorous and bids fair for some years yet of physical before
he enters upon the spiritual life.  He preached his first sermon
in Mt. Pleasant in 1820. J. J. Swayze left this world in 1853,
in Allegheny City. Peter F. Jones died in Brooke county, W.
Va., in 1856. Z. H. Coston died in Lawrence, Kas., in 1874.
Joseph Horner is in Pittsburgh. R. Hopkins resides in Sewickly,
Pa.; was received on trial in 1823, came to Pittsburgh conference in 1825, has been effective forty years, presiding elder
nineteen years. W. L. Weekly died very aged and had a career of fifty years of effective work.  J. F. Jones is stationed
at Washington in full vigor of active service.  E.- B. Griffin
died at Canton, Ohio. Frank Moore graduated at Washington
college in the class of 1842, attended for a time the sessions of
the Western Theological seminary, entered the ministry in the
Methodist Episcopal church, and while quite young in years
had the honorary degree of D. D. conferred on him. At his
death, which occurred in the state -of California some years
since, he was considered one of the most learned and distinguished ministers in the Methodist denomination.  The writer
knew him well and watched with great interest his career in
life.
John C. Brown lived in Iowa.  After having filled many important stations in the church, his latter days have become
over-shadowed with a cloud that the many friends of his early
life still hope aild pray may be renioved ere he passes away.
C. H. Edwards is a member of the East Ohio Conference. M.
McK. Garrett died in Forest City, Iowa, in 1883.  L. R. Beacom is in Pittsburgh, having already had 38 years of effective
service with 8 years as presiding elder. Rev. A. J. Endsley
after many years in the service, has been retired under not
favorable surroundings.  Charles A. Holmes is in Allegheny,
has been 45 years in active service, and is looked iipon as one
of the strongest pillars in the church. N. P. Kerr, Waynesburg.
S. W. Davis, Washington, Pa.; A. P. Leonard, Jeannette; J. B.
Uber, Canonsburg.   Rev. J. H. Ebbert, the leader of the
original class, is now a resident of Philadelphia, he has been
337The Old and New Mononqahela.
an effective minister only five years, he entered the ministry
in 1831, was supernumerary one, and superannuated 50 years.
For many years he was connected with the banking business in
Pittsburgh. We have a letter written by him to Rev. James
Davidson in 1876, in reference to the original class, but cannot
find it. Of the original class and its formation, Mrs. Grace
McFall yet speaks very distinctly. Her maiden name was
Call; she is a sister of the late Nicholas Call, whose wife was
a sister of Rev. Jas. Davidson; also of Daniel and John Call,
a sister of Mrs. Alexander Frazer, near this place, and also of
the first wife of Barnet Corwin who was a member of the class.
Mrs. McFall was born August 25, 1813, in an old log house
that stood on the George Fisher farm near Lenity school house;
she was married to Thomas McFall July 28, 1831, by Rev. J.
G. Sansom, assisted by Rev: John Irwin, in a house on the
farm long owned by Benjamin Thomas in Rostraver; she has
lived in the house in which she now resides ever since 1833,
in which year her husband built it.  She joined the M. E.
church in March, 1828, under the ministry of Father Stevenson at Fell's old log church; Benjamin Beazel was her first
class-leader; in 1834 as we have already stated, she became a
member of Rev. Ebbert's class in Bellevernon.
Barnet Corwin, now dead, resided near town and had long
been a member of the Free-Will Baptist church. At what time
he dissolved his connection with the M. E. church we are not
informed.  His wife Eleanor died in February, 1839, in the
house now owned by the Hutton heirs on Main street.  John
Corwin died many years ago in Morgan county, Ohio; Jane,
his wife, was a daughter of Mathew Patterson, of Washington
county; she died in Greene county, Ind., in 1886. Her second
husband's name was Davis. Mrs. Katy Ward, another of the
class, died in the house occupied recently by James Hagerty, the
postmaster. Sabina Gaskill's maiden name was' Lane; she died
about the year 1885, in Ohio. Rebecca Jacobs was a member
of the M. E. church for nearly half a century, lived much of
her life in this town and vicinity; she died January 17, 1879,
338The Old and New Monongahela.
at the residence of her grandson, H. H. Elliot, in Pittsburgh,
Pa. She was a sister of Mrs. Katy Ward.
Robert Demain succeeded Rev. Ebbert as leader of the class.
He came from Norfolk, England, in 1832, to Brownsville. In
1838 he came to Bellevernon and lived for one year in the
house now owned by Mrs. Eliza Smock, and then moved into
the house occupied by Captain J. M. Bowell and Morgan Bowers, on Water street (which he purchased from the late William
Eberheart), where he lived to the day of his death.  He was
killed January 13, 1843, in a coal bank above town near the
stone house now owned by R. C. Schmertz. He was a man of
great piety and Christian influence. In 1840 Peter Swearer was
added to the old class. He joined the M. E. church in 1832,
and was an active and devoted member to the day of his death,
which occurred at Brownsville, Pa., February 15, 1877, aged
seventy-two years.  He was a class-leader forty years.  In
1876 Rev. James Davidson wrote to him making some inquiries relating to the early history of the church in this place,
and in reply his son writes as follows:
"My father often speaks of the church in Bellevernon; of
its struggles for success, and of the glorious success attending
the prayers and efforts of the few who were found on the
Lord's side.   He speaks of the glorious meetings-the sweet
counsel taken with many who since that have finished their
course and gone to their heavenly home. Father is now an old
man, waiting by the river, his race nearly run, and sometimes
bursts forth in shouts of praise to the God who has kept him
all the journey through up to the present, and fully believes the
promise, " I will never leave nor forsake thee. "
JAMES R. SWEARER.
John Swearer, brother of Peter, was a zealous Christian of
the early days of this church. He died many years since
with the brightest hopes of a blessed immortality.  He too
was a class leader of long standing.
Among the early reminiscences of the church the name of
Noah W. Speers looms up with as much prominence for active
339The Old and Neqw ionongahela.
work as any one of those days.  It affords us very great
pleasure to be able at this time, over his own signature, to give
many historical facts and incidents relative to the early struggles
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bellevernon.
MEMPHIS, June 26th, 1887.
J. S. VAN VOORHIS, M.D.
DEAR SIR:-In compliance with your request, I send the
following.
My father, Noah Speers, born March 27, 1769, was founder
of Bellevernon.  I remember distinctly of helping to plant
corn where the glass works now stand down to the hollow
where the steamboat yard was.  My father died June 9th,
1832.  One or two years before or perhaps prior to above date,
James G. Sansom, an eloquent holy Methodist minister, who
travelled Red Stone Circuit including a considerable portion of
Washington county, making a four weeks circuit, then crossing
the river at Bellevernon, stopping at father's house, he would
arrange to give an evening service on his return home, which
was near Fell's Church, in the forks of the two rivers, Youghiogheny and Monongahela. Preaching was then held in the
school-house (owned by father,) which was about three doors
south of the old Ward Mansion, opposite Jones' bank, on Main
Street.  My father gave Rev. Mr. Sansom the use of a fine
horse during his time on that circuit.
Luke Beazell, his wife and sons Lemuel and John, also
daughters Susie and Mary, were living on the Miller farm, opposite Lock and dam No. 4. Manassah Reeves, Esq., Samuel
and Jesse Reevies, brothers, were living on farms adjoining
my fathers. The above named persons (except my father) were
members of Fells Church. Class meeting and monthly preaching
was held at Samuel Reeves' till his death, then for an indefinite time at Manassah Reeves'. Andrew C. Ford was classleader. Some time during the year, after father's death, sister
Clara and I joined the church at Williamsport, under the
preaching of the Rev. S. R. Brocknour.  I don't remember
340The Old and New Monongahela.
dates as all my books and memoranda were burned at Cincinnati, at the time of my great loss by fire.  I think in 34, or
35, maybe 36, Revs. Alcinus Young and John Irwin were on
Redstone circuit and occasionally preached at private houses
in Bellevernon.
It was not unitil Mr. William Eberheart established the glass
works, in'36 or'37, that Robert Demain, coal miner; Peter
and John Swearer and Nelson Goslin, glass blowers, and
prominent Methodists,, established class and weekly prayer
meetings; also Barnes C. Reeves and David Parkhill, builder
and carpenter, took part in these meetings. During this period
I was away at Meadville College, and on my return in the
spring of'37 these meetings were kept up in the private residences.  About this period we organized a church with Hugh
Ford, Barnes C. Reeves, Solomon Speers, *Peter Swearer,
David Parkhill, Goslin, Manassah Reeves, I think, and myself, as trustees and stewards, and built the brick church on the
side of the hill, a little south of where the Presbyterian church
now stands. The foundation proved bad, and the people were
fearful and did not occupy it.  During a suit for damages we
lost title to the building.
I rented this church for the commencement exercises of the
Bellevernon Academy, and it was packed to its utmost capacity,
which gained the confidence of most of the members.  Still it
was not used; the meetings continuing in private houses till
the glass works went out of blast in July and August, when the
glass blowers (principally from Albany, near Brownsville), as
was their custom during the session of the annual conference,
held protracted prayer meeting till the new minister arrived.
The meetings were kept up for a week or two without any perceptible feeling except the fervent faithfulness of the dozen or
less which attended.
A meeting was held in Father Demain's residence. My
niece, Diana Speers, daughter of brother Solomon Speers,
said to me as I passed, "I will go to prayer meeting with you."
As was our custom the invitation was given, "All who desire
24
341Th,e Old an d Newqfononoqgahela.        29
hem an advance hold on the dominant idea of the present day.
Let us not, thenl, mourn over the departure of ancient manners
and customs supplanted by the American idea. This is the
motive power of the present day. By it we have assumed a
proud position as a nation among the constellation of States;
by it we have utilized the electric spark to annihilate time and
space  by it the late Col. Scott pushed the iron horse freighted
with human thought from the rising of the sun to the going
down thereof in eighty hours; by it the western wilds and
sandy deserts have been converted into fields of ever-blooming
flowers; by it we can signal the coming storm, and tell what
a day may bring forth; by it we have solved the problem of
self-government, which defied the genius of sixty centuries;
by it we are reminded that he only "shall receive the blessing
from the Lord and righteousness from the GOD of his SALVATION who hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not
lifted up llis soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully."
LETTER FROM GEORGE P. FULTON.
HILAND PUBLIC SCHOOL,    f
Pittsburgh, Pa., Julty 1st, 1881.
Directoris of Afonongahela City Pteblic Schools:  
GENTLEMEN,-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your invitation "to be present at and aid in the dedication
of the public school building" in your city this evening.
The many duties attending the closing of the terrm in our
own schools will prevent me from  gratifying a long-cherished
hope of meeting again my old frienids, and participating in the
reunion the occasion will afford to the "boys" and "girls"
Who answered the school-bells of more than a quarter of a
century ago.
In contemplating your joyous meeting, my heart truly yearns
for a glimpse of the old footprints of youth and home that were
olnce mine, around and within the precincts of my native town.
The fathers that in my youthful days were the guardians of
4The Old and New XIonongahela.
prayer to signify by remaining on their knees while a verse
would be sung." While no one knelt the effect of the invitation was as if the Holy Spirit was present. Friday and Saturday evenings my niece was not present, but the house was
filled on both evenings, and the deepest feeling of religious interest was felt throughout the village and sulfiounding neighborhood. Without further notice than being asked by Brother
Demain to hold the Sunday evening service in his house, with
the special request by him that the members make a special
prayer for the sinners of Bellevernon, and the new pastors, not
knowing who they would be. If they would make this the
burden of their hearts and come to the meeting a great work
could be accomplished. An hour before candle lighting people
from the country and village arrived, and before the hour for
service from 150 to 200 collected in and around the house as if
by magic. I proposed renting the brick church for our meetings. Gaining consent, I sent out runners with candles to light
the church, anld when the hour arrived the house was literally
packed.
Brothers Demain, Peter and John Swearer were the principal
leaders, but when we entered the alter they refused to lead, saying to me, "you brought us here, you are the man to lead. " Not
knowing why, only by the power of compulsion, I opened to
and read the good old hymn:--" Alas! and did my Savior
bleed!" with a trembling voice.  Sobs and sighs were heard
all over the house. After the hymn read from Ephesians 2nd
chapter, not knowing why. Fifteen mourners without invitation knelt at the altar.  These meetings were kept up for several days, the brothers Peter and John Swearer and Father Demain leading alternately. When the new pastors came, brothers Dempsey and Adams, from Conference, we handed them
27 names as the result of the protracted prayer meetinlg.  We
occupied the church during the fall and winter, then the old
buildinlg known as Reeves' store house, was  used till March'47, I think, when I moved to Cincinnati.
342[r[e Old and -New ilonongahela.
There are doubtless many things I might say of interest after
more mature deliberation.  There is one circumstance which I
remember very forcibly. During a service in the brick church
in the early spring, a deep snow had fallen and a thaw and a
freeze had made the ground very slippery. The church had
two entrances, one in front with high steps, the other at the side
next the hill with a wall five or six feet high. On the hillside
by the church a number of sugar trees were growing, some of
which had been tapped. ~ While Brother Adams was preaching,
giving a terrible description of the Judgment Day, and about
8 p. m., two boys were getting sugar water with a couple of
lanterns just as the preacher came to a climax of fire and brimstone, the boys started to see which could go fastest down the
hill swinging lanterns in hand. One or two sympathetic sisters sang out in a very high key, "The fire is coming indeed."
This attracted the entire congregation to the two balls of fire,
as the lanterns appeared to be. The people made for the doors
down the slippery walks toward Main street and home. In an
instant the boys put out the lantern and quietly slipped home,
keeping the secret.   One of the boys, my nephew, came
quietly to me and begged me to keep the secret, which I did,
until a full description had been given by all who witnessed
the scene, and in their own way.   In listening to the various
descriptions of the scene, I believe the lanterns were described
as being large as hay stacks, etc., the smallest mentioned was
the size of a barrel.   Don't you think had you witnessed that
scene it would have made you git?
Brothers Moses Jamison, Cornelius Battell and Gallehew
were on the circuit, but I forget in what years.
Yours,
N. W. SPEERS.
STEWARDS IN BELLEVERNON M. E. CHURCH.
Among the many persons who have been class-leaders and
stewards in this church besides those we have already mentioned, we have gathered the names of the following up to
3434The Old and New iMonongahela.
February, 1866:-Samuel Reeves, Van Reeves, James Davidson, Robert Davidson, John Watson, Wm. Winters, Milton G.
Ebbert, Anthony Hazelbaker, Fred Shibler, John Mullin,
Thomas Edwards, J. T. Roley, Chas. Bolse, Davis Shepler,
O. H. P. Scott, Adam  Shunk, Samuel Sutton, Benjamin
Hughes, C. B. Chalfant, Wm. Gaskill, W. H. Jones, W. H.
Johnson, John R. Powell, John N. Beazell, Wm. Kyle, J. J.
Zimmerman, D. P. Housman, Church Porter, Curtiss Reppert,
Amon Bronson.  James Davidson has been recording Steward
since March 10th, 1865, with the exception of one year. The
Rev. James Davidson with John Watson, Davis Shepler,
David Fetz and Howard M. Fish, have been in this church as
local preachers. The organ was first introduced into the church
music in the fall of 1866. From contributions and the proceeds
of a concert held by Miss Lizzie Van Voorhis and others, in
the old frame Church, sufficient funds were raised to purchase
the small organ still in use in the Sabbath School. Lizzie Van
Voorhis was the organist until the new organ was placed in
bhe brick church.
In a former article we said that the lot on which the new
frame church on Water street was erected had been purchased
from William Eberheart. The title we find, however, came
through L. M. Speer and Jane, his wife, by deed of conveyance to Van Reeves and others, the then trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bellevernon, dated November 20,
1852, and by deed from Noah Speers and others, the then
trustees of said church, dated October 2, 1867, to Robert C.
Schmertz. Robert C. Schmertz and Mary Elizabeth, his wife
conveyed the same lot and church building, by deed dated December 10, 1868, to John B. Gould and James H. Springer,
trustees of the Church of Christ by the name of Christians or
Disciples of Christ of Bellevernon.  The old Disciple church
and\ lot, corner of Water and Fourth streets, was sold to R. C.
Schmertz, and is now numbered among the glass factory buildings. The rapidly increasing population of the town, and a
corresponding prosperity of the church, necessitated larger ac344The Old and New.Monongahela.
commodations, for the comfort of the congregation.  During
the conference year of 1866, when Rev. J. F. Jones was
preacher in charge, the preliminaries were entered into for the
raising of the funds. As we have stated the old church was
sold. The board of trustees appointed at the last quarterly conference of the year 1866, held in Bellevernon February 19,
1866, consisted of James Davidson, A. Bronson, J. R. Powell,
William Kyle, C. Reppert, Noah Speers, Jasper Haught, Samuel Sutton and Jacob Haught, for Bellevernon, and Jabez Nutt,
Thomas Page, John Mullin, James Billiter, J. H. Weaver, G.
R. Thirkield, W. H. Faulkner, J. J. Zimmerman and Church
T. Porter, for Fayette City.
As far as we can discover, most of these brethren were in
the board during the building of the brick church on Main street.
The lot on Main street, 50 x 100 feet, No. 53, was purchased
for $442 from William H. Jones and wife, by deed of conveyance to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bellevernon, dated
19th day of October, 1867, it being a piece of ground which
John Tiernan, administrator of Thos. Taggart, deceased, deeded
to said William H. Jones, December 18th, 1863. Rev. C. H.
Edwards was pastor during these proceedings in the year 1867.
The corner stone was laid June 10th, 1867, by Mrs. Eliza
Weaver, Misses Emma, Maggie and Lydia Davidson. The
stone work was done by Robert Hagerty, the carpenter work
by J. R. Powell, the brick work by Solomon Meridith, and the
painting by John Hatfield. The fine bell which graces the
tower was presented by John Gibson, of Philadelphia.
October 27, 1867, was the day appointed for the dedication
of the chapel or lecture room of the new church. The opening sermon was preached by Rev. I. C. Pershing, D.D., President of the Pittsburgh Female College to a large and attentive audience.  In the afternoon a deeply interesting sacramental seivice was held. In the evening Rev. A. J. Endsley,
Presiding Elder, preached a very excellent sermon. The entire
length of the building is seventy feet, by forty-two in width.
The main audience room is forty by fifty-eight feet exclusive of
345The Old and New X ononongahela.
the gallery over the vestibule.  The lecture room is thirty-nine
by forty-four feet, with two class rooms at the entrance.  A
well proportioned tower rises twenty-three feet above the roof
and is surmounted with a spire fifty-two feet in height; making
a total of one hundred and thirty-seven feet from the ground.
During the ministry of Ed. Williams, in the year 1869, the
audience room and other unfinished parts were completed, and
on the 25th of July, 1869, the house entire was dedicated to
the service of God, according to the form prescribed in the
Book of Discipline.  In the dedication services the pastor,
Rev. Ed. Williams was assisted by Revs. M. L. Weekly, J.
Horner, J. H. Conkle, S. H. Nesbit and E. Dudley. The
entire cost of the building is estimated at $15,000.  To the
untiring industry and perserverance of the Pastors Rev. Edwards and Williams, and the board of trustees, whose names
will appear in the charter, the church is indebted for this beautiful and substantial building.  To facilitate the financial and
legal operations of the church matters it was deemed prudent
and wisq to have the church incorporated, thereupon an application for a charter of incorporation was presented to the
Court of Common Pleas, of Fayette county, June 7, 1867.
The court having examined the Articles of Association June
7th, 1867, ordered the application to be filed in the office of
the prothonotary of said court, and the court also directed
notice to be inserted in the Genius of _Liberty of said application.  In the court of common pleas, of Fayette county,
Pennsylvania.  And now, to wit, September 2nd, 1867, having
satisfactory evidence that the proper notice was given pursuant
to the former order of this court, and no sufficient reason having
been shown why the foregoing charter should not be granted,
we do hereby decree and declare that the members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bellevernon, and their successors, shall, according to the articles and conditions in the
within instrument set forth and contained, become and be a
corporation and body politic, and direct that this, their charter
of incorporation, shall be recorded in the office for the recording of deeds in this county.                 By the court.
346The Old and Xew Jlonongahela.
At a meeting of the members of the church November 12,
1867, the charter was accepted and at the same time the trustees organized by electing Jasper Haught, president; Noah
Speers, secretary, and Curtiss Reppert, treasurer.  During the
year 1870 the Bellevernon charge was separated from Fayette
City, Rev. E. B. Griffin being the preacher, and resided in the
house on the corner of Water and Fourth streets. 4In the year
1881 the church purchased from Amon Bronson, for a parsonage,
the house situated corner of Wood street and Locust alley. The
trustees for 1887 were Noah Speers, C. Reppert, Amon Bronson, James Davidson, W. C. Kittle, J. B. Zeh, L. Steen, Wm.
Jones and J. B. Thompsoni. Wm. Jones, president; L. Steen,
secretary, and W. C. Kittle, treasurer. The present class leaders (July 14, 1887) are Noah Speers, James Davidson and J.
B. Thompson. The stewards are James Davidson, J. B. Zeh,
J. B. Thompson, C. Reppert, W. C. Kittle, Amon Bronson,
Wm. Jones, John Durst, Leightty Steen and Noah Speers. We
again acknowledge our indebtedness to Rev. James Davidson
for his aid in furnishing much material for this historical sketch
of the Methodist Episcopal church.  Ile has been so long
identified with this church that his work is everywhere, for
nearly half a century, mingled with its progress. He was converted in May, 1838, in the old stone church in Elizabeth,
under the preaching of Rev. John Coil, but first joined the
church at Fell's not long afterwards. He connected himself
with the Bellevernon church in 1850, while Rev. J. F. Nessly
was in charge.  Mrs. Margaret Lewis, Grace McFall, Samuel
Reeves and wife, Levi Harris, are the only persons he can
recollect as members now, who were such at the time he came
to this church.
FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
In April, 1843, certain brethren living in Bellevernon and
vicinity made a request in the form of a petition to Elder Joshua Newbold, for the organization of a Free Will Baptist
Church in that village. The request was presented to the
347348            The Old and New Xonongahela.
Jacobs Creek Church at the monthly meeting held on the second Saturday (8th) of April, of the same year. At this same
quarterly meeting, Elder Joshua Newbold, S. G. Smutz, David
Smith, Jr., Robert Armstrong and Alexander Armstrong were
appointed a council to organize such a church, April 22, 1843;
if they considered it proper so to do. The council met in the
old brick sohool house on the hill, and all being present except
Alexander Armstrong, they proceeded to business by choosing
Elder Joshua Newbold, president, and S. G. Smutz, secretary.
after examining the matter solemnly and truly as required, the
council duly organized and constituted the petitioners into a
church.
The names of the twelve persons which constituted the
church are as follows: Thomas C. Jordan, Daniel Springer, Roger
Jordon, Isaac Ferree, Jas. M. Springer, Hannah Jordon, Rachel
Springer, Lydia Springer, Eliza Jordon, Elizabeth Elder, Catharine Shocky, Sarah Ann Jordon; Elder Joshua Newbold was
elected pastor for one year. Daniel Springer and Isaac Ferree
were chosen Deacons and Roger Jordon clerk. At a meeting of
the members, April 22, 1843, it was resolved that we will agree
to form ourselves as Free Will Baptists into a church, to be
called the Bellevernon church, and we agree to take the
Scriptures for our only rule of faith and practice, and to walk
according to the ordei of the Free Will Baptists as laid down
in the Treatise of the General Conference in 1834, and that we
agree that the majority shall rule in all cases except in receiving members and excluding them, it will be expected to be a
unanimous vote of the church so far as practicable, and that
we agree to support a preacher, so far as we are able. Signed
by all the 12 members.
The first meeting of the church in conference was held on
the 4th Saturday of May, 1843, being the 27th day. June
3rd, 1843, at this second quarterly conference meeting, Daniel
Springer was appointed delegate to the Jacobs Creek quarterly
conference, being the first of the kind appointed. At the conference held July lst, Dr. Charles B. Egan delivered his firstThe Old and New Monongahela.
exhortation.  September 12th, 1843, it was resolved to make
an effort to build a church by subscriptions of money.  March
26th, 1844, the effort to raise money being successful to such
an extent as to warrant the building of a church, it was resolved
to appoint Daniel Springer, Roger Jordon and William Wayts
trustees for the funds already raised, and the same persons
were named as a building committee, and authorized to erect a
church building 26 x 36 feet. It was built on the lot on Wood
street near Flint alley, now owned by D. W. Owens; Thomas
Taggart was the contractor. The church was dedicated September 8th, 1844; elder Joshua Newbold preached the dedicatory sermon.
December 16, 1856, Roger Jordon resigned his position as
clerk and trustee, which he held since the organization of the
church. James M. Springer was elected in his place, and
served until May 25th, 1869. Pierson B. Luce was elected
clerk April 23d, 1870, Mrs. Allie Cooper, February 2nd, 1877,
Mrs. Erzanna Browneller, January 6th, 1879, and John C.
Lynn, was elected January 5, 1885. The deacons are P. B.
Luce, James Phillips; and treasurer, Dr. A. N. Marston. The
old church becoming too small for the growing congregation,
it was determined to erect a new building. A lot on Short
street, North Bellevernon, was purchased from L. M. Speers
for $350; on it the present beautiful structure Seas erected in
in 1871-72. The total cost was $2800. The contractor for the
frame work was the late O. D. Johnson.  The plastering was
done by Thomas Cooper and the painting by Robert McClure.
The church was dedicated April 21, 1872, Rev. James Calder, of Harrisburg, preaching the dedication sermon. The
spire was blown down by a storm in the fall of 1876, and was
replaced by the present cupalo. The lot, No. 71, on which the
church is erected, was deeded by L. M. Speers and wife, Fannie, June 1, 1871, to J. Wesley Corwin, Joseph B. Courtney
and John Hixenbaugh, trustees of the Free-Will Baptist church
of Bellevernon borough. To the untiring efforts of the late
J. W. Corwin the church is indebted for this building more
3490The Old and New _Monongakela.
than any one other individual. From the day the idea of building it was conceived until the last dollar was paid he never let
up in his labor to have the work accomplished, and he had before his death not only the comforts of a beautiful church edifice
but the consolation of having done his duty well. He had been
a member of this church since 1854.
On the 4th day of April, 1846, elders Joshua Newbold,
Edward Jordon and David Smutz were elected to preach alternately every two weeks for the next year.  These preachers
were succeeded in their time by Drs. Egan, Newbold, Reardon,
Winton, Plannet, Cook, Blakely, Jordon, Bryant, Springer,
Lacock, Joy, Nye, Rogers, Fish, Smutz, Knap, Hills, and the
present pastor, Joel Baker, who took charge May 6th, 1883.
Rev. Joel Baker was born in Connecticut, studied theology at
New Hampton Theological School, was licensed to preach at
the quarterly meeting held at Meredith, New Hampshire, May
27th, 1856, and was ordained at Alton, N. H., November
19th, 1857.  Like most of other churches, this one has no
regular record of the origin and early workings of its Sabbath
school.
The Free Will Baptist Sabbath School was organized
in 1844, after the occupancy of the church building on
Wood street; Daniel Springer was the first superintendent,
and continue! as such until he removed to Brownsville
sometime in the early fifties, where he only remained
two months.  He afterwards was superintendent at different
times.    The school at this date, July 27, 1887, is in
a flourishing condition.  Its present officers are: Superintendent, Dr. A. N. Marston; Assistant, Ed. J. Corwin; Teachers,
the pastor, Joel Baker, Mrs. Katty Marston, Mrs. Luther Corwin, Mrs. Barnet Corwin, Mrs. D. W. Jones, Mrs. John Dowling, Misses Jennie Worrell, Ella Fuester, Mintie Clegg, Lizzie
Scott; Secretary and Librariaiin, Thomas Scott, Jr.; Treasurer,
Mintie Clegg.
350Th,e Old and New Monongahela.
DISCIPLE CHURCH OF BELLEVERNON.
The exact date at which the Disciples first held meetings in
Bellevernon cannot be fixed, but from all the information we
can gather, in 1838 two elders named Landfier, of Ohio,
preached in the house on Water street below Cherry alley,
lately occupied by Alexander Brown. A lady whose name
has been forgotten, was immersed by them, being the first baptism by the Disciples in the town. After these gentlemen,
Elder Pool came into the neighborhood and preached in private
houses and the brick school house on the hill. In conversation
with Elder L. P. Streator, we learned that he preached
in 1841 in the Brown house on Water street, then occupied by Bowman Furnier; after the discourse Miss Sallie
Gould was baptized at the ferry wharf. During the religious
excitement in this vicinity in 1843, among the different churches,
a number of Disciple preachers visited the town and began
preaching in private dwellings.  Among these were Elders
Pool, Pyatt, Benedict, McKenzie and some others whose names
are lost. They held meetings in the houses of J. B. Gould,
James Corwin, A. P. Frye, Nathaniel Everson, and the school
house on the hill. The result of these meetings was the gathering into the Disciple faith of quite a number, among whom
we may mention John B. Gould and wife, James Corwin, Sr.,
and wife, Joseph Springer and wife, James H. Springer and
wife, Mary Corwin, Hester and Mary, daughters of James
Corwin, Sr., Ackey and Sallie Gould whom we have already
named. The brethren in 1844 determined to build a meeting
house, and the result was the building corner of Fourth and
Water streets.
In 1869 this house was sold, as we have stated in a former
article, to R. C. Schmertz, and the old Methodist church purchased. Elder Pool preached for a year or perhaps two after
the completion of the new house. He lived in the house corner
First and Water streets. As yet there was no congregation
regularly organized in the town. Meetings were held on every
35130             The Old and New Xiombongahela.
your municipality have all passed away from earth and its conflicts, and have now no part in all the "pomp that decks the
summer hills, save that their graves are green. "
The generation next succeeding these are nlow the old men
who go about your town with frosty brows, garrulous of the
"good times" when the raftman's horn awoke the echoes of
the hills and the wild duck and the yellow perch held their
favorite haunts by the "Island" and its winding creek hard by.
The boys of that day, who then pressed up Beebe's alley
and around past the Presbyterian Church into Captain Cooper's
school, with the golden dust of the yellow fennel on our bare
feet, or afterwards attended Mr. Joseph S. Morrison's academy on the river bank, held over the room where dwelt Mrs.
Noble and her dog, are no longer the lads who threw "fireballs" through the streets every timne that the Hon. George V.
Lawrence was elected, or built boin-fires on the grave-yard hill
wlhen we would hear men talking of good news from the armies
of Scott and Taylor in the war with Mexico. We were full of
that war, for Sparks Cooper--the brave old Sparks-was he
not in it, and had we not seen on a Fourth of July, Captain
Washington's artillery from Carlisle Barracks go through our
place on its journey to that distant field of strife?
Not to make mention of the school girls of that day would
be to withhold the utterance of our happiest and purest recollections.  They "piped unto us when we danced" to our
flagellations, and even shared our quarrels.  Did they not,
with their own white hands, weave the wreaths of pine and
myrtle with which we decked our church for the yearly exhibition, and "read their essays" and adorned our ranks with
their youthful beauty.  Many of them will, doubtless, be with
youl this evening as the honored mothers of a duteous train of
younglings to be reared under the fostering influences of the
new school, while of others we must reflect in sadness, that-'"The mossy marbles rest
On the lips that we have press'd
In their blooml,
And the nlames we loved to hear,
Have been carved for imany a year
On the tomb."Tlhe Old and New 2lionongahela.
alternate Lord's day with Fayette City congregation.  Meetings were held at different times by such elders as Benedict,
Hughes, Walk, Southmaid, Delmont and Rowe, until 1869,
when Elder Rowe, having held a successful meeting, it was
thought best to organize a separate organization in Bellevernon.
A written request being sent to Fayette City congregation and
granted, in May, 1870, anl organization was effected. John B.
Gould, D. B. H. Allen and James M. Springer were chosen
elders, and James H. Springer and Thomas Fawcet, deacons;
D. B. H. Allen, treasurer, and James M. Springer, clerk. In
the Disciple church the pastors are elected by the individual
congregation at pleasure.  The first regular pastor after the
organization was Elder J. B. Cox, who remained a year or two,
and was succeeded by Southmaid, Delmont, Pyatt, Streator,
Rowe, Chase, Vogel, and Jobes, the present pastor is Elder Brice
L. Kershner.  In the absence of a pastor the meetings are conducted by the elders, who have the oversight of the church,
and preaching is had as the congregation may desire by employing preachers to hold meetings.
THE FIRST SCHOOL IN BELLEVERNON.
The first school in the village of Bellevernon was taught by
John Hazelbaker in the kitchen part of the house of the
venerable Mary Corwin.  This house originally stood on the
farm now owned by James Ward, in Rostraver, and was
the primitive dwelling of Michael Springer, who emigrated
to this country from Stockholm, in Sweden. John Hazelbaker
was a brother of the late Jacob Hazelbaker, who lived for
many years in the stone house just above town; also of the
late George Hazelbaker, of Allen township, Washington
county. Schools were also taught by John B. Gould and
others in the house now occupied by W. P. Mackey, and in
the house owned now by Mrs. Eliza Smock,.and in several
other houses.
After the common school system was adopted in 1834, the
old brick school house on the hill was erected with brick taken
352The Old and New ilonongahela.
from the old Rehoboth church which had been built in 1803.
The money to build this school house was raised by subscription, and erected under the supervision of Solomon Speers and
A. P. Frye.   This house being in the woods and on the hill,
was soon considered so inconvenient that the school board of
Washington township determined to build a new one in Gould's
hollow. It was built of brick taken from the old mill near the
mouth of Speers' run, owned in the long ago by David
Furnier. This old school building is still standing, a monument of the past.   The only remnant extant of the old brick
church of Rehoboth may be seen in the pavement in front of
the residence of W. P. Mackey.  Whilst he owned the house
Dr. Van Voorhis had the pavement made of brick taken from
the old school house on the hill.
After the erection of the school house in Gould's hollow the
one on the hill was abandoned, but in after years, when two
schools became necessary, it was again occupied under the auspices of the Washington township school board. Among the
teachers in the brick school house on the hill we can mention
William, or Billy Bolt, as he was called. He lived in the house
recently owned by John H. Shepperd, in Rostraver. Robert T.
Galloway was another teacher. He afterwards became a lawyer; resided in Uniontown; was elected to the Legislature in
1844, was elected prothonotary in 1854, and died in Connellsville not many years since ripe in honors and esteem of his
fellow-citizens.  David Longnecker also taught in this house.
-Nancy J. Gould, John C. Hasson, John B. Gould, John Wilson, a Mr. Martin, Henry Fulton, now of California; Prof.
George P. Fulton, of Pittsburgh, and Sallie Gould, were among
those who taught in this old house.
John C. Hasson taught his first school in 1852 in the old
Tremont Itouse, over the river nearly opposite the glass works.
He was the first teacher in Fayette county examined by Joshua
V. Gibbons, who was the first County Superintendent.  The
examination was in 1854 in Gould's school house. Mr. Hasson
is still among us, being one of the most substantial citizens of
353IThe Old and New Mononqgahela.
North Bellevernon.  Geo. P. Fulton had been a teacher of
common schools since he was seventeen years old. Was three
years in the army, and had been for seventeen years principal
of the Hiland Public School, in Pittsburgh before his death.
He very kindly undertook to give the writer a paper on his
early career as a teacher in Bellevernon, but before completing
it as he desired, he was overtaken with disease, disabling him
from giving a full history. We subjoin his letter. Prof. Geo.
P. Fulton says:
"In April, 1852, I commenced teaching in Bellevernon, in
the old brick school house on the hill.  It was a subscription
school. The glassmen of the works of W. Eberheart, Sr., composed the controlling element in all the affairs of the towin and
neighborhood.  Old man Eberheart was'rex ahbsooluts' of the
glass trade from New Geneva to New Orleans. Then there
were no strikes. If a workman was not satisfied with his wages
he threw'up his'pot,' vacated the tenement of his employer
on summary notice, received his pay and left the town. Adam
and George Shunk, Oliver Scott, Christ Welzer, Oliver Town,
John Hutton, Charley Coll, George Bunting and William H.
Faulkner, were glass-house men whose names are still fresh in
my memory.  The farmers of Allen and Fallowfield over the
river, brought their butter and eggs to Eberheart's store, whilst
the Finley's, the Smocks, Robinsons and Springers, from the
farms in the forks and Rehoboth valley, furnished from their
herds grass-fed beeves and swine for the glass-works families.
"Side by side the glass making industry, were the boat yards
of L. M. Speers whose sterling character for probity and generous dealings in all this great enterprise, will be remernbered
as long as the name' of the town shall stand, or hearts can beat
in the breasts of those who then enjoyed his friendship, his
confidence and his princely hospitality.
"Clarke's coal works above town were then in operation, but
the custom of the miiners in the stores generally went to Cookstown, so that the glass works and boat yards alone kept the
community in thrift and industry.
354The Old and Hrew Mlonongahela.
"The first of July,when the fires were out was a carnival season for Bellevernon creditors from the highest to the lowest in
the ranks of the year's workers.  Dr. Van Voorhis gathered in
his yearly harvest of dues for healing offices; the preachers and
school teachers were then paid; old Dr. Jacob Hazelbaker ran
down delinquents for his cobling services, on the hob-nailed
shoes of the teazers, rendered in the intervals of his veterinary
practice; old man Jones who kept the ale-house on the corner
of First and Water streets, rubbed out the chalked scores for
the nut brown draughts dealt to the toilers during the year, and
laid in fresh supplies of refreshment for the summer solstice.
"I taught but two ternis in the town.  The second school
was held in a hall fitted up by Division No. 286, Sons of Temperance, converted long since into a dwelling, and now owned
and occupied by Allen K. and Curtiss Reppert, on Main below
Third street. William Eberheart and L. M. Speers jointly paid
my salary, and they sent as pupils the children of their families and such of'their employes as could be admitted with the
prescribed limit of attendance.  This was truly a mixed school.
Boys were reciting Virgil preparatory to admission to Washington college; one bright girl was studying botany, whilst some
were in the alphabet. To hear talk about work in the school
room now makes me sigh, when I think of those jubilant days
of yore.'Hope in the prow anid pleasure at the helm,' when
the hours of the longest sumnmer day were never tiresome or
irksome amid the cheerful group that were always in step with
the longest stride of my enthusiasm.
"I had a large school of young ladies older than their
teacher, and big boys of equal ages filled the seats around the
walls, while scores of six year olds held down the little benches
in front of the master's desk. Professors were unknown in
those days. It would have been Professor John Wilson of the
Lagrange and Professor John B. Gould of Gould's Hollow,
and Professor Fred Cooper, who used to come on Saturday's
from his school on Maple Creek and drown his school "sorrows in the flowin bole, " as Artemus Ward would say. Cooper
355356            lThe Old and New lWonongahela.
was a fine scholarly fellow, six feet in height, erect and had
the air and manners of a well-bred gentleman.
Our school work was carried on without the help of the many
valuable appliances which now abound in the hands of the
skillful teachers of to-day; yet with only primers I had my six
year old tads reading in the first reader in six weeks.
"Captain Jim French, the jolly skipper of the Swan and
Bellevernon, and afterward of the Polly South, had his firstborn in this class, and could attest the correctness of this statement.
"I was in the height of sympathy with my work-my whole
soul was in it, and I fairly got up early to see these young scions
unfold the leaves of their mental growth, and note their progress from night until the next morning roll-call, and herein
lies the whole secret of the teacher's success-to love his charge
with all his heart and soul and strength, letting his neighbor in
other pursuits attend to his own- business, and drive his school
along to success when he gets it a-going, as Sheridan did his
soldiers, not giving them time to halt, lie down or skulk."
SCHOOL TEACHERS AND SCHOOL HOusEs.
Among the many persons who taught school in Gould's Itollow were John Wilson, deceased for many years, John B.
Gould, dead only a few years, John Q. Robinson, who is at this
time one of the most prominent medical men in Westmoreland
county; has always resided in West Newton since conimencing to practice his profession.  J. H. Wilson whilst teaching
here in 1856, was a resident of Washington county, but now
resides near Chatsworth, Illinois.  After teaching over thirty
years retired from the profession.  His mother was a sister of
the late Nancy P. Davidson, whose maiden name was Palmer,
and whose first husband was Samuel Reeves, the father of our
fellow citizens Samuel and John Reeves and the late
Mrs. J. M. Springer.
Levi J. Jefries is now a citizen of Bellevernon. He was originally a glasshouse boy. His fellow boys taught him the alphabet
by means of letters made on the foot-benches with chalk. WithinThe Old and New Xonongahela.
three years afterwards his chalk-mark teachers were among his
scholars during the time he taught in the old Gould's Hollow
school house. Sallie Gould married a man by the name of
Morrison, and has been dead many years. She was the mother
of Elmer Morrison, now a resident of Seldom Seen, adjoining
the borough. Sarah Fulton graduated at Washington Female
Seminary in 1857.  She was the wife of Rev. J. H. Stevenson, of Mt. Carmel, Ill. She is deceased. George W. Nichols, after leaving this town, was long a resident of Lawrenceville, Pa.  He has been dead a number of years. A part of
the house owned by the late J. W. Corwin used to stand on the
corner of Main and Second streets, and it was utilized for a
timle as a school house. A man by the name of Adly taught
here for awhile, and also A. J. Colvin, about the year 1848.
Miss Vashti Budd, about 1849, had also a school in this building.  She was a cousin of John C. Hasson.  Miss Florilla
Tower had a select school in 1856 and a year or more subsequent, perhaps, in the room for a long time known as the store
room of Solomon Speers, but more recently it has been used as
sitting room in the hotel known as the Roley house near the
ferry.
In 1857 the old school house on the hill and also the one at
Gould's were abandoned and sold, and the new brick building
was erected on the lot now occupied by the beautiful residence
of R. J. Linton, corner State and Short streets.  It was a twostory building with two rooms on the first and one room on the
second floor.  It was built under the supervision of James
Davidson and J. M. Springer as building conlmmittee of the
school board of Washington township.  Solomon Meredith did
the brick and Peter Snyder the carpenter  work.   The
brick were made in and shipped from California, in
Washington  county.   The  entire  cost of the building
was $1327.18.   It was first occupied in January, 1858,
by John Wright and Miss Florilla Tower as teachers.  In the
fall of 1858, Mr. Ross W. Phillips and Miss Sallie Vanhook
were elected teachers. In 1859 the same Mr. Ross was elected
25
357The Old and New iXonongahela.
principal, but during the night after the first days school he
mysteriously disappeared, leaving nothing to tell the reason for
such conduct.  Mr. E. C. Griffith was elected in his place.
Having no record from this year until the incorporation of the
borough, we cannot give in full the names of all the teachers,
but we can recall the names of C. C. Baugh, John Hasson,
Miss Mary Beazell, Miss Myra Fulton.  Miss Beazell was the
wife of J. P. Cunningham, of Rostraver; she is now dead.
Miss Fulton is the wife of Rev. E. P. Lewis, of St. Paul, Minn.
Mr. Baugh has been in the mercantile business in Perrypolis
and some other places.  In the Etes,irise some time ago was
published a full, official list of all the teachers in the public
schools of Bellevernon from the time of the incorporation in
1863 to the present, to which we refer our reader.
The records of Washington township have been lost or mislaid prior to 1841. In 1841 William Eberheart was elected
school director, being the first from the village of Bellevernon.
James Davidson, J. S. Van Voorhis, J. M. Springer, and perhaps others whose names we cannot remember, have served as
directors in the township. Below we give a list of the persons
who have been directors of the borough since its organization:
Robert Boyle, James Davidson, J. S. Van Voorhis, James
French, John W. Wright, N. Q. Speers, James M. Springer,
J. A. Piersol, Curtiss Reppert, O. D. Johnson, John Power,
Jesse P. Sill, W. F. Speers, John Reeves, Henry Haler, Alex.
Brown, J. W. Corwin, Amon Bronson, S. F. Jones, Church
Porter, R. J. Linton, A. P. Lewis, A. A. Taggart, W. P.
Mackey, J. H. Lewis, W. E. McCrory, Eli W. Martin, L. Z.
Birmingham, Ephraim Lewis, J. B. Enos, E. M. Kyle, J. M.
Bowell, John A. Acklin, W. H. Noble, S. M. Graham, Dr.
A. N. Marston, Isaac Coldron, John Durst.
The corps of teachers for 1892-93 consisted of Ira R. Smith,
principal; Miss Carrie Greathead, Miss Ida Hug, Miss Clara
Lang and Miss Sphar.
358The Old and New ifonongayhela.
THE NEW BRICK SCHOOL HOUSES IN BELLEVEkNON.
The growth of the town and increase of scholars, seemed to
demand greater accommodations in the building. June 17th,
1869, resolutions were offered in the Board looking to the erection of an additional building in the rear of the main building
twenty-four by thirty feet, two stories, to cost about $1800.
The resolutions were referred to a committee consisting of O.
D. Johnson, J. A. Piersol and James French, who reported on
the 22nd of June the resolutions with very little modification,
and on motion they were adopted with one negative vote,
James M. Springer. At a called meeting of the Board on
June 25, the resolutions were re-considered and negatived.
The failure of the project arose from opposition on the part of
the citizens. The opposition was owing to the assessment of
eighteen mills to pay for the additional rooms, and little did
the grumblers think that in a very few years a massive structure
would go up requiring that amount of money to be levied for
generations yet unborn. At a meeting January 22nd, 1872,
at which were present James French, Henry Haler, J. A.
Piersol, Amon Bronson and W. F. Speers, committee on
legislation were appointed.
June 14, 1872, J. W. Corwin was added as a new member
to the board.
The bill reported in its passage was so amended and changed
as to only authorize a per capita tax, confining it to three
years, and allowing the use for building purposes of the excess
of school tax not used in carrying on the schools.
In 1873 an act was passed authorizing the school board to
borrow money at a rate not exceeding 8 per cent, after having
exhausted the powers of the court in such cases provided.  Of
the 8 per cent bonds issued running fifteen years under this act,
$5,500 at this date (August 29, 1887) reinaining not due and
unpaid. These will be due in 1888-89.
In July, 1872, J. M. Springer and Captain W. F. Speer
359The. Old and New Monongahela.
were appointed a committee to ascertain a plan of building for
a new school house, cost, specifications, etc., Haler, Springer,
Bronson, Speers and Brown voting yea.
August 5.-On motion Amon Bronson and Henry Haler were
appointed to make arrangements with Samuel Bedsworth to burn
brick for school house at $6 per 1,000. Committee on plan of
school house reported a three-story building, two feet larger
than the one at Fayette City. On motion W. F. Speer, Henry
Haler and J. W. Corwin were appointed to offer for sale the
old school house, and negotiate with J. A. Piersol for the purchase of his house and lots, subject to the approval of board.
August 6.--Committee to see Piersoll reported in favor of
purchasing his property at $3,000. The board unanimously
received the report.
August 16.-Committee on brick reported that they had
bought 200,000 at six dollars per 1000 at the kiln.  By a unanimous vote it was resolved to instruct the committee on purchase of school property, to negotiate for the Hasson heirs property. On motion it was agreed that if the school house be
sold on Saturday the 17th inlst., that the conditions should be
as recorded but fails to specify to whom it was sold and for
what price.  In another part of the record we discover it was
sold to R. J. Linton, not naming the price in the minutes.
December 12. It was resolved to build the new school
house sixty by seventy feet. On motion Brown, Speers and
Corwin were appointed a committee to draw up specifications
for both a two and three story building, and to receive bids for
both plans. On motion it was resolved to sell the Piersol property.  December 26th, the specifications for school building
as written out and presented were unanimously adopted, not
stating whether for two or three stories or for both.  January
30th, 1873, the bids were openled and read as follows:- Wn.
Coulter and A. A. Taggert, $13,990; Ziba Whiting, $14,000;
Samuel Daugherty and Larimerl, $15,650.
February 14.--On motion the contract was awarded Win.
Coulter and A. A. Taggart at their bid, yeas Springer, Corwin,
360The Old and New iMononaahela.
Speers, Bronson, Brown and Haler.  The committee made sale
of the old house on Hasson lots and the Piersoll property to
Amon Bronson, the former for $150 and the latter for $2810.
March 31st an order was issued in favor of Hasson's heirs
for $1450, which seems to be the price paid for the two lots
corner of Wood and Third streets on which the new building
was erected.
June 2, 1873, S. F. Jones was elected instead of Haler, and
W. F. Speers re-elected members of the board.  June 25, S.
F. Jones and J. M. Springer were appointed to superintend the
building.of the ne-w school house; and July 19 Amon Bronson
was added to the committee.  August 25 J. M. Springer resigned his seat in the board, and August 30 Church Porter was
appointed in his place. We have not been able to find in the
record the exact cost of the new school house, including the
fixtures and furniture, but from  all the information we can
gather the total cost was not far from $30,000.
September 17, 1873, J. W. Gibbons was elected principal of
the first school in the new building at a salary of $80 per imonth;
H. T. Baily was elected to roomn No. 2 at a salary of $60 per
month; Theo. J. Allen to No. 3, wages $45, and Miss Hattie
Davidson to room No. 4, wages $45. This school house has
been subject to much severe criticism. The plan, the size
and cost, have all undergone an ordeal of complaint. In many
particulars the building has faults, but perhaps the board did
all for the best, as things were seen at that time. Then everything was carried on under a high pressure.
THE BELLEVERNON ACADEMY.
The Bellevernon Academy was founded in 1842 by Noah W.
Speers. The Academy occupied the stone house then owned
by said Speers, and now by John Gibson's Son  Co. William
Eberheart in his day remodeled and improved it for his dwelling, and more recently it, under the above firm, has been still
more modernized, and now is the beautiful residence of Captain
T. L. Daly, superintendent of the Gibsonton mills, located in
361The Old and New ionoqgahela.
I have to regret that I am not fully informed as to the names
of all who comprise your present School Board.  I can see in
fancy the honored President, in inextinguishable youth, gracing the night's array, the friend of the boys of'81 as he was
the mentor and model of spotless manhood to the boys of 1842.
Of my former schoolymates on your Board, Secretary Williams
is scanning the spacious building that his energy and tireless
spirit aided so much to project and build, atoning in part for
unpunished acts of demolition, chronicled against him in the
school-house by the river, where he strung bells and rung
them during the meditations of our study hours, put the then
"smallest boy," Chill now Major, Hazzard, out of the house,
through the window, and terrified his mates from their beds at
night by alarms of ghosts and spirits evolved from  his
rollicking brain.
There, too, is Captain Wilson (Clark), who once on a time
could boast of swimming, with three other Leanders, from
Baird's to Eccles' wharf, without a rest, and who was with me
"up the creek" when Michael Dooley was drowned, and Doctor George Lynn, the faithful student, who came from over
the bridge, with Will. Pierce, John Wilson, Curry and William
Ketcham.  How I recall him invoking on "speech days,"
"Glenara,"  from  the  "Highland  Glen,'' or imploring
"Pizarro" for a hearing ear.
Last but not least in my affections, I can see my old friend
and army comrade, Doctor William King, towering manly and
strong as when in youth he trod the hills of the "Jersey settlerment," or in later years followed the flag of his country in
our strife for the Union, and won rank and honor in the 155th
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers.
I trust that the new edifice may be dedicated to the fostering
of a sturdy brood of townsmen, who will be equally well
taught in the uses of the body, the mind and the heart; that
it may be consecrated as the people's school, the poor nian's
college, the rich man's safeguard and the great hope of all
classes of society.
31the vicinity.  The late T. R. Hazzard, a native of New York,
was the principal; he was an accomplished scholar, and stood
in the front rank as a teacher.  At the founding of this school
he was considered the most successful classical educator in the
Monongahela Valley, and did more perhaps than any other one
man to foster in the youth of the valley a desire for a thorough
academical course of education. Whilst principal of this acadeiny he lived in the house now owned by Conrad Metz, on the
corner of Main street and Cherry alley. In this house was born
his son Joseph de Vernon, named in honor of this town. He
was a soldier in the late war, coming out of it minus an arm.
He is now a prominent orange grower in the state of Florida.
T. R. Hazzard had for his assistants in the academy, Wm. F.
Hamilton, now a distinguished Doctor of Divinity in the Presbyterian church. He now resides in Washington, Pa. Among
the students of this school are some very prominent public
actors. Dr. J. C. Cooper, a prominent physician of Philadelphia, the late Hon. Demas M. Letherman an ex-member of the
Pennsylvania Legislature, who was the father of Dr. J. A.
Letherman, of California, Dr. John H. Storer, of Triadelphia,
West Virginia, who ranks in the front of the medical men of
the State, Dr. R. Nicolls, now retired among the wealthy men
of Bloomington, Ill., the late Hon. GeorgeW. McIlvain, ex-chief
Justice of Ohio, who was looked upon as one of the most distinguished jurists in that or any other state of the Union, the
Fuller boys, now the largest cattle dealers in Philadelphia, N.
G. and Ephraim Blaine, brothers of ex-Secretary Blaine of the
state of Maine, were students at this Academy.
T. R. Hazzard, Esq., was a memher of the Washington bar
for nearly forty years; was more than once elected Burgess and
Justice of the Peace in his adopted City of Monongahela, and
was a very active and influential member of the late Constitutional Convention. He died September 3, 1877, his wife followed him on March 10th, 1887. They left to mourn their
loss four sons, Chill W., the accomplished and talented editor
of the Monongahela Republican; J. De Vernon, of whom we
The Old and New Monongahela.
362]The Old and New Moonngahela.
have spoken above; John J., connected with one the banks of
Pittsburgh, and Thos. L., one of Allegeny City's prominent
physicians and a professor in the Western Pennsylvania Medical College, located in Pittsburgh. Owing to circumstances
of which we have no special knowledge, the proprietor closed
the Academy a few years after its founding, and removed to
Cincinnati, where he had been for many years an active business
man. iN. W. Speers is now a resident of Memphis, Tenn. He
and Jacob are the only surviving members of the family of
Noah Speers, the founder of Bellevernon.
POST OFFICE AND TELEGRAPH.
We wrote to the Department to ascertain at what time the
Bellevernon post office was established, but failed to get a
reply to the request.  It seems to have been established about
1830, or perhaps a few years prior to this date.  Solomon
Speers was the first postmaster, and kept the office on the corner of Water and First street, in the well known brick house
now used as a hotel.  The same case of alphabetical boxes
then obtained is still in use. Uriah Ward, who had been in
the employ of Speers as a clerk, succeeded him in 1836 as
post master. Ward was succeeded by Win. Eberheart, the
well-known glass manufacturer, who kept the office in the brick
store room, corner of Water street and Cherry alley. John
Mullin was next in office. He had the office in his store room
on the corner of Main street and Cherry alley, where now
stands the beautiful three story building of A. A. Taggart. It
was during his term that the office was broken inlto and the
letters carried into a corn field on the hill and destroyed.
Stephen Whetsel was arrested for the robbery and tried in the
U. S. Court at Pittsburgh, but the evidence was not sufficient
to convict him. It remains a mystery to this day who committed the deed.
John Mullin was succeeded by James R. Davidson, somewhere about the year 1855-56.  He had the office in the brick
store room corner of Main and Second streets now occupied by
363T4ie Old and NeWw Monongahela.
Browns' Pharmacy. James R. Davidson is now a prominent
lawyer of Hillsboro, Henry county, Iowa, was succeeded in
time by J. B. McKennan, Robert Boyle, L. R. Boyle, James
Davidson, Jas. Haggerty, and the present postmaster, L. M.
Kyle. Jas. Davidson was in office from 1869 to 1885. Even
within the recollection of the writer postage was rated according to the number of sheets of paper and the distance carried.
There were no stamps in early days.  The postage on letters
run up from 6- cents or a fip, 12- cents or a levie, 183 cents
and 25 cents to be prepaid or not, as people determined.  It
was considered a breach of etiquette to prepay a letter.  Prior
to the establishment of the post office the Bellevernon people
received their mail at Cookstown which office had been erected
in 1813. The mail was carried on horseback and it was considered a big thing to get it twice a week. We cannot find
out who first carried the mail on this route but we do know
that Richard Everson and James Kerr were two of the contractors, and that in 1847 the late Joseph Hassler, of Rostraver, in person brought the mail to Bellevernon on every
Tuesday and Saturday.  The mail pouch resembled the oldtime saddle-bags, and was thrown across the horse, the carrier riding on it.  Even in 1847 only a small mail was received
at this office. Wm. Eberheart got most of the letters; a few
copies of the Geniu8s qf Liberty, the Penn8sylvania _Demoerat,
now the Amnerican Staz,dacrd, the Presbyterian Advocate, now
the Banner, the C3hristian, Adcvocate and iliorning Star, were
received weekly.  The Greensburg IHerald was carried to the
subscribers in Rostraver by Samuel Douglass who was employed as private carrier. Outside of the cities daily papers
were not often taken. Along in the early fifties Wm. Eberheart took one daily paper, the first in the town, now 1893;
the newsman sells 200 copies of the Pittsburgh dailies.,
In the early spring of 1865, James L. Shaw, through his individual exertions, had formed the Monongahela Valley Telegraph company, which erected the first line of telegraph along
the Monongahela river. The office in Bellevernon was first
364Tihe Old an;d -New Monongahela.
placed in the store room of Harvey B. Frye, well known as
Speers' corner. The first operator was Miss May Johnston and
the present operator is Mrs. J. F. Frye. The office was opened
on the 14th day of April, 1865, the day of the assassination of
President Lincoln. The first message sent was as follows:
"BELLEVERNON, PA., April 14, 1865.
"To Ilarvey Fleqming, Cookstown, Pa.:
"What is Jane Hunter selling eggs at? Answer.
"8 1). H.                                 H. B. FRYE.'
NEWSPAPERS.
The first effort at starting a newspaper in town was made by
the youthful E. A. Hastings.  In the winter of 1873-74 he
printed a small sheet called the Young Patriot. The outgrowth
of this effort was the establishing of the Bellevernon Patriot.
E. A. Hastings was the editor and J. T. McAlpin associate.  The
first number was issued April 24, 1874. May 7, 1874, McAlpin
retiring, E. A. Hastings assumed full control of the Pcctriot.
The paper was published by McAlpin and Hastings in kind of
alternate way until July 29, 1875, the date of the last issue.
January 4, 1877, J. T. McAlpin obtained control of the Valley
Leader press and issued No. 1, Vol. 1, of the Bellevernon
Courier.  He published this paper until June 13, 1878, when
it ceased to live.  The press was sold to a firm in Uniontown,
and is now doing service in some office in Ohio. The writer
has the Patriot and Courier complete, bound in one volume,
which is an epitome of the local history of the town of that day.
The Bellevernon Enterprise was first issued on the 3rd day
of April, 1886, by L. M. Truxal, and is now one of the fixtures
of the town.
The first persons married in the town were Miss Fannie
Billiter and John Thompson, the ceremony being performed by
William D. Mullin, Esq., in 1824.
3653The Old and New Monongahela.
GLASS WORKS AND BUSINESS MeN IN BELLEVERNON.
The glass works have always been the prominent business of
the town. The factory long known as the "old house," was
commenced by Kendall  Patton, in 1834, but was completed
and put in operation by William Eberheart in 1836. The
venerable John S. Caris, now deceased, remembered very well of
being present at the first blowing. Persons in large number from
the surrounding country were in the factory to witness the operation of blowing glass. The cylinders or rollers were only
large enough to make from six to nine lights of eight by ten.
Mr. Carns lived at that time in the old log school house on the
farm, then belonging to the late Samuel Jones, but now the lot
owned by Henry Lang, near the colored church in Rostraver.
Mr. Carnes could not recall to mind any of the blowers unless it
be that of Chas. M. Coll, who he thought was among the
number, anld perhaps Gabler, Burk, Sedgwick, Benedict,
Kimber, Goslin, Berry, Reddick, Downs and Denny. Griffith
Wells, a well-known former citizen, now dead, was the first
glass-cutter who worked at these works. Eberheart inherited
his glass-making propensities from his father Adolph Eberheart,
who carried on for many years in New Geneva, the works
erected by the late Hon. Albert Gallatin.
Each blower flattened his own glass in-what was called shovedown ovens. There were no snappers and second-handersonly the tending boys who were generally apprentices to the
trade. They made six melts in a week and flattened the glass.
At what time the upper house was built we cannot say positively, but think it was about 1841. Financial troubles compelled Eberheart in 1853 to close up the business. The works
were purchased by Geo. A. Berry, of Pittsburgh, and the business was revived under the firm of Geo. A. Berry  Co.,
which was in a few years merged into Geo. A. Berry, J. B.
McKennan and Samuel Vanhook retiring, but remained agents
for Mr. Berry, until he sold to Robert C. Schmertz  Co., in
1865. This firm is still carrying on the works, which have
360Tlie Old and New MobnongahdeZa.
been enlarged and so improved as to hold the,highest rank in the
United States. It is now a thirty-pot establishment, employing
near 200 men and boys.  In the future (1887) natural gas will
be used throughout the whole plant.  The gas will be
furnished by the Bellevernon Light and Heat Company from
its five wells in which R. C. Schmertz  Co. is the largest stockholder.  The firm employs the most skillful workmen
in every department, and the glass turned out commands a
ready market in every part of the United States. Rollers or
cylinders are now made which cut forty-eight lights eight by
ten inches.
Hotel-keeper-A. C. Houseman, State road and Main street.
In 1847, Tanner-A. P. Frye, Water and Second streets. The
tan-yard was established by William Reeves in 1830. It was
owiied in succession by William Reeves, Alex. and John Bighaml, John Niccolls, A. P. Frye, J. W. Wright and W. C.
Drum,^ during whose ownership it was abandoned as a tan-yard
about the year 1866. It is now owned by the heirs of George
Lang, deceased.  Morgan Reeves was the first tanner.
There was no justice of the peace, but'Squire J. B. Gould in
1847 did "all the law business," as he resided adjoining the
the town.
The first tailor in town was Billy Walker, who in 1836 had
his shop in the house on the corner of Water and First streets.
Milton Sloppy, the first harness-maker, had his shop in
1857-58 in store room corner of Main and Second street, and he
was succeeded ill March, 1859, by W. P. Mackey, who had his
shop in a room near Second on Main, where now Dr. Van
Voorhis has his office.
Budd Gaskill was the first gunsmith. He had his shop in
the rear part of the present Lang residence, Water street. He
was succeeded by Wash. Everson, in the middle room of the
old Taggart row on Main street below Strawberry alley.
J. S. Van Voorhis, M. D., became a resident of Bellevernon
May 25, 1847, and in 1893 is still in the town, having long
since become one of its fixtures.
367IThee Old and Aew XMonongahela.
The Odd Fellows' Hall Association of Belle Vernon was
chartered by a decree of the Fayette county court, December
1, 1879, with a capital stock of four thousand dollars, divided
into shares of ten dollars each. The original stockholders
were John Hackett, Samuel McKean, John S. Neil, John W.
Wilkinson, W. B. McAlpin, John S. Sharpnack, J. S. VanVoorhis, R. C. Guffy, Ephraim Lewis, A. L. Brown, L. R.
Boyle. The first officers were, Trustees John Hackett, Samuel McKean and Ephraim Lewis; President, Samuel McKean;
Treasurer, John W. Wilkinson, and Secretary, J. S. Van
Voorhis. At a meeting of the stockholders October 21, 1879,
the trustees were authorized to purchase lot 38 with the building thereon well known as Speer's corner, in Bellevernon, from
John W. Wilkinson, for the sum of $1,333.33., the Association assuming the mortgages on said property. John W. Wilkinson had purchased it at the sale of the assignee of L. M. 
W. F. Speer. This purchase by the Association was made
prior to its incorporation, but became the legal property of the
incorporated Association.
This property in 1889 was sold to Wm. Jones and Lyia M.
Graham, and the Association in the same year purchased from
W. K. Wise 30 by 100 feet of the lot on corner of Main and
Second streets, and in January, 1890, bought an additional
five by 100 feet, making the lot 100 by 36 feet.  On this lot
during the summer of 1890, the Association erected a frame
three story building. A. A. Taggart was the contractor. It
is one of the most complete buildings in the town.
THE GRAND ARMY POST.
We are indebted to Joseph E. Nutt for the following sketch
of General George D1). Bayard Post, No. 178, of the G. A. R.
June 24, 1880, was the red-letter day in the history of Bellevernon, for military display and for the number thronging the
streets of the old town who had carried the musket in defense
of the Union in the dark days of 1861 to 1865. The early
morn was ushered in by the booming of cannon and the en368The Old and New  lonorngahola.
thusing and stirring martial music of the fife and drum.  Why
all this excitement in our staid old town? Why this hurrying
to and fro, completing preparations as though to withstand a
besieging enemy momentarily expected to appear and demand
the surrender of the fortress?  Is grim-visaged war again
abroad in our loved land, as twenty years ago demanding each
patriotic father and mother to bring forth their most cherished
treasures, their eldest and perhaps their only dependent for
support on the sun set side of the hill of life?
Thanks to that kind Providence that led our heroes in blue
through a series of splendid victories to a permanent peace,
the answer comes, " We are not preparing for war " but are
about to mluster a Post of the Grand Army of the Republic,
an organization composed exclusively of surviving JUnion soldiers'who took part in the war of the rebellion, were honorably discharged and on whom rests no stain of treason.  The
questions may be, and often are asked, why this organization?
Are not its objects calculated to retard the healing of the
breach between north and south, and to perpetuate the sectional feelings which in the past led to such terrible consequences in the enormous sacrifices of blood and treasures?
Again the answer comes, bearing the assurance that its mission
is peaceful, and to any careful observer of the day, this fact is
apparent that there is no class that stood opposite each other
across Mason and Dixon's line, that entertain a higher regard
for or estimate at nearer the true value of each other as the exIUnion and ex-Confederate soldier class.  The merits and soldiery qualities recognized and acknowledged by either side
only tends to give additional lustre to their own achievements,
hence there can be no motive for the men led by Grant, Sherman, Sheridan and Meade, to withhold from  the men led by
Lee, the Johnsons, Jackson and Longstreet, the credit due
their military daring and wonderful endurance, and vice versa.
But there is in the heart of every old soldier an undefined
feeling that binds him to every other one who shared like dangers and endured privations that cannot be appreciated by those
3690The Old and 2Yew Monongahela.
inexperienced in such thlings, and though the person maybe
despised in almost every other respect, the fact substantiated
that he did noble duty, and was a "good soldier," generally admits him to the honor and benefits of the order.
Mutual interests make it necessary to organize, that the
pledges of the country to those who sacrificed all their
dearest idols, their hopes of distinction in their chosen professions, the best years of their bright young manhood may not
stand a meaningless verbage on the nation's statute books.
The old adage that "Republics are always ungrateful"
would have still held good in this case, had it not been for the
influence brought to bear through the G. A. R., as nearly all
the relief thus far obtained has been secured directly or indirectly through this agency, and even in local affairs to accomplish anything in the way of relieving cases of distress and
want of soldiers or their families, we could not, without organization bring the matter so intelligently before the public and
obtain the needed help, and right here be it said the appeal for
such purposes, has never been in vain in this community.
The people have always given enough and more than
enough to accomplish the object on hand, and the balance was
religiously placed in the fund reserved for similar future drafts
which were sure to come.
There was on the 24th of June, 1880, three hundred old soldiers in Bellevernon, and thanks to the liberality and patriotic
sympathy of our town and vicinity, an elegant and substantial
dinner was spread for the immense crowd of visitors from other
places and the surrounding country. The occasion was graced
by the presence of (now Past Department Commander) Chill.
W. Hazzard, F. Ii. Dyer, Capt. Tom. Gist, Capt. N. W.
Truxal, Hon. J. K. Billingsby, and other distinguished Grand
Army men whose names cannot now be recalled, and a full
turn out of Henry Billingsby Post 168, and J. W. Stephens
Post 168.  The exercises and entertainments of the day passed
very pleasantly, and in the evening the Post was duly mustered
by the visiting comrades, Corn. C. W. Hazzard, then De370The Old and New Mfonongahela.
partment Commander, acting as mustering officer,. and Com.
Tom. Gist as officer of the day. During the evening Comrade F. H. Dyer gave a grand series of sciopticon views, which
were explained by C. W. Hazzard, some of which were grandly
instructive, others very fun provoking.
The records of the first meetings of the Post are too much
abridged to give a satisfactory account of the first year's work,
even the roster of officers is not recorded.  The charter members were as follows, viz: J. B. Thompson, John Dowlin,
Janies W. Morgan, W. C. Johnson, Joseph T. Bell, W. S.
Harvey, Jas. H. Acklin, W. HI. Noble, John Fell, Thos.
Scott, S. B. Miller, Geo. R. Waters, Pierson B. Luce, John
W. Dean, Nathan Worrel, Wm. F. Boothe, Robt. Fields,
Wm. Bunting, Isaac Coldren, J. E. Nutt, A. B. Lowes, John
S. Reeves, W. F. Morgan, John H. Weaver, Stewart Patterson. Comrade John B. Thompson was elected Post commander, and hence is the Sr. Post P. C. He chose for his Adjutant Comrade W. H. Noble.  Rev. A. B. Lowes was elected
Chaplain, which important office he ably filled as long as he
remained in the community.  The Post adopted for its name
that of Brigadier Gen. Geo. D. Bayard, who was the Colonel
of the First Pennsylvania Reserve Calvary when it first took
the field, was afterwards about the lst of May, 1862, cominissioned Brigadier General, and ably in camp and in field led a
brigade of calvary until on the 12th day of December, 1862,
on the disastrous and ill-fated field of Fredericsburg, he
poured out his rich young life blood on his country's alter.
Being only 22 years of age he gave promise of a bright future,
as a calvary leader, and had he lived it might not have been
necessary to call Sheridan from the west to lead the calvary of
the Army of the Potomac on those memorial campaigns which
covered alike the leader and those led, with such a halo of
glory that their deeds of valor are imperishably fixed on the
pages of the country's history.
The term ending December 31, 1880, was a fairly prosperous one, some seven or eight recruits having been added to the
3713T2,e Old and New Jo6nonq,ahela.
From its rooms may there ever go forth legions of stalwarts
who will be strong enough to earn their bread, wise enough to
know their duty, and brave enough to do it.
May the generation to be trained in the new house be better
taught than the ancients of the town, as they will have better
opportunities, and be equal to them in honesty, purity, social
and public virtue, and are the elements of exalted character.
I close with a sentiment uttered by the late Col. Sam. Black
in anl address once delivered in your own county: "Let us all,
with one accord, say,'God bless the common school system.
For it is to the wintry condition of the world what the sunshine of spring, the rain of heaven and the distilled dews of
the night are to the earth in her struggles to bring forth
through ribs of frost the bud, the leaf and the flower.'  
I remain, very respectfully,
Your obed.ient servant,
GEO. P. FULTON.
32The Old and -Wew -fonongahela.
body of charter members. The roster of officers for 1881 was
as follows: W. S. Harvey, Post Commander; L. R. Boyle,
Sr., Vice Commander; Win. Boothe, Jr., Commander; W. H.
Noble, Quarter-Master; J. W. Morgan, Adjutant; J. B.
Thompson, officer of the day; Joseph Bell, officer of the
guard; Rev. A. B. Lowes, Chaplin.  During this term the
Post procurred the necessary order for the admission of, and
sent a comrade with the orphan children of Comrades Isaac
Hammitt and Chas. Hixenbaugh, to the Soldiers Orphan
School near Uniontown at Jummonville. The Post was not
very successful in recruiting new members during the year
1881, but three were mustered during this year, events transpired which stirred to their depths the hearts of every member
of the patriotic fraternity.  In the midst of the enthusiasm of
celebrating our great national holiday, the inews reached us
that our most distinguished comrade and honored President,
James A. Garfield, was stricken downi by the hand of the
assassin.  Words cannot picture the chill of horror or determination to have full justice meted out to the miserable wretch
who committed the foul deed. As soon as it could be attended
to a committee was appointed and resolutions of sympathy and
condolence drafted and forwarded to the wounded President,
of which the following is a copy:
WHEREAS, our comrade, his excellency, the President of the
United States, has been stricken down by the hand of a cowardly
assassin, whiclh act has secured and merited universal condemnation throughout the civilized world; therefore,
Resolved, That we, the members of Geineral G. D. Bayard
Post, No. 178, of Bellevernon, Fayette county, Pa., do deplore
this terrible national calamity, and we do hereby extend to our
wounded comrade our heartfelt sympathy, and we do most
earnestly hope for his speedy recovery.  Signed,
W. S. IHARVEY, P. C.
W. H. NOBLE, Adjutant pro tern.
The following is the reply secured from the private secretary
of President Garfield:
372The Old and New ilionongahela.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,           }
WASHINGTON, D. C,, August 1, 1881.
Dea?r Sirs--The resolutions adopted by your association, expressive of the sympathy and condolence which its members
feel with the President and his family in the great calamity
which has befallen them, have been received. In acknowledging their receipt, permit me to assure you that it will afford me
great pleasure at the most favorable and opportune time, to
invite the attention of the President to this gratifying action on
the part of your organization.  In the meantime; expressing
the thanks of the President for this courtesy, I am, yours very
respectfully,                     I. STANLEY BROWN,
Private Secretary.
I. O. O. F.
Belle Vernon Lodge No. 656, I. O. O. F., was instituted at
Belle Vernon, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon
of March 26, 1869, by Special D. D. G. M., U. L. Clemmer,
of Triumph Lodge No. 613, assisted by P. G. Master Alfred
Slack, of Pittsburgh, then a caindidate for G. W. of the Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania; P. G. Patriarch Sholes, of the same
city, then Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania; D. D. G. M., J. Mullin, of Allegheny county, and a
large number of visiting brothers froin Lodges Nos. 51, 377, 491,
511 and 613. The meeting was called to order by D. G. M.
Clemmer, and the names of the charter members being called
were as follows: P. G. M. Alter, P. G. Samuel McKean,
Bros. A. P. Lewis, R. C. Byers, Noah Speers, J. M. Springer,
John T. Steiner, J. H. Lewis, T. F. Lewis, Milton Lanehart,
G. V. Abel, J. S. Van Voorhis, J. B. Thompson, J. W.
Dean, W. French, C. A. Patterson, J. Gould, W. Bright, R.
J. Patton, R. K. Feuster, J. S. Bolsinger and E. L. Hyatt.
After the usual ceremonies the charter was read and the
Belle Vernon Lodge No. 656, was duly constituted. The election for officers resulted in the choice of R. C. Byers, N. G.;
J. S. Van Voorhis, V. G.; Samuel McKean, Secretary; A. P.
26
373The Old and New.lonongahela.
Lewis, Assistant Secretary, and J. M. Springer, Treasurer.'In the evening J. H. Weaver, J. E. Hixenbaugh, E. E.
Stickel, J. F. Reed, J. H. Hixenbaugh and O. D. Johnson
were initiated, being the first under the charter.  J. B. Foulk
was the first admitted by card.  During the year 1869, twenty-three were initiated and twenty-five admitted by card, including charter members; withdrawn by card, four; leaving
January 1, 1870, a membership of forty-four.
January 1, 1875, the lodge had a membership of 101,
and in 1893 the same number.  January 31 of this year
the building in which the meetings were held was burned,
destroying nearly everything belonging to the lodge, including the charter, the whole loss being estimated at $1,200.
The following persons have filled the office of Noble Grand
since its institution, viz.: R. C. Byers, J. S. Van Voorhis,
A. P. Lewis, J. B. Thompson, J. M. Springer, J. E. Hixenbaugh, J. F. Reed, J. H. Weaver, F. Hixenbaugh. A. G.
Beazell, George Treasure, John Wilkinson, N. Speers, J.
Hackett, W. C. Kittle, G. Amalong, M. Lanehart, J. F. Young,
R. C. Guffy, G. V. Abel, W. S. Harvey, E. S. Young, William Vaughan, L. R. Boyle, W. B. McAlpin, J. W. Morgah,
J. H. Eller, Hugh Price, Ad. Young, Samuel Houseman, L.
Thompson, Leightty Steen, J. A. Neil, George F. Culp, W. 11H.
Neil, Charles Clegg, C. C. Hammett, Wm. Corwin, John Gray,
W. H. Hammett, Oliver Hixenbaugh, S. M. Warrensford,
Anthony Hugg, J. R. Bovard, C. M. Jones, M. F. Packer, Wm.
Eller and J. B. Shawman.  We can recall the names of the followilg P. G.s who have served as representatives to the Grand
Lodge, viz.: M. Alter, Samuel McKean, A. P. Lewis, J. B.
Thompson, J. M  Springer, J. W. Morgan, Leightty Steen,
E. S. Young, L. Thompson and I. N. Neil. Samuel McKean
and J. M. Springer have each served one year as district deputy
grand master. With the exception of one year, Samuel McKean
had served as secretary frorm the institution of the lodge until
April, 1890, when E. S. Young was elected. The lodge held
its first meetings in a hall in Kittle's building, in the second
374The Old and New Monongahela.
story; then occupied a room  over Springer's store room on
Main street, below Strawberry alley. The meetings were held
here when the fire occurred.  For years after the fire the lodge
used the hall in the third story of Kittle's building, and in
1886 the lodge rented Corwin's hall on Main street. The
lodge is now made up of seventy-one members. Its financial
standing has always been good.  It holds $2,900 stock in
the Odd Fellows Hall Association; the paraphernalia and
furniture is estimated at $1,500, and a respectable balance
in the treasury October 1, 1893. The lodge had paid out for
the relief of the sick and widow and orphan funds from January, 1874, to October 1, 1887, the sum of $3,712. Owing to
the loss of the records by the fire we are not able to give the
amount from 1869 to 1874, but no doubt the same proportion
held good.
Maple Grove is the name of the Encampment instituted
shortly after the lodge was and is made up of third degree
members of the lodge, or rather such of them as may apply
for membership and be accepted. The Encampment holds
$400 of stock in the Hall Association above named.
OTHER LODGES.
Moniongahela Lodge No. 362, Knights of Pythias, was organized June 13, 1872.
The first Division of the sons of Temperance in the town
was Belle Vernon Division No. 286, instituted by D. G. W.
P., James Piper, September 22, 1847. It ceased to exist
about 1852. The present Division, No. 147, was organized
Sept; 24, 1885, and meets in Odd Fellows' Hall every Tuesday evening.  In  addition to those organizations already
named, we have a variety of other societies and institutions
such as Accomac Tribe of Red Men, Knights of Labor,
Council 531 of the Royal Arcanum, U. S. Benevolent Fraternity, Ethan Allen Council 355, 0. U.. A. M., Western Council No. 79, Junior O. U. A. M., Equitable Aid Union, W. C.
T. U., L. and O. Society, M. E. Lyceum, Presbyterian Mite
375The Old and New Mononogahela.
Society, Presbyterian Happy Band, the Baptist Social, Foreign
Missionary Societies of the different churches, Conamore Club,
Cornet Band, Drum Corps. As place of amusement we have
the opera house, skating rink, and the public halls are Taggart's,
Bronson's and the school hall.
NATURAL GAS HISTORY, 1887.
R. C. Schmertz during the past three years has drilled three
gas wells. Two of these are located on the low ]and.just
above the town outside the borough limits; the other one on
Speer's run, near the old Johnson mill site, on the farm formerly owned by L. M. Speer, but now by S. F. Jones  Co.
R. C. Schmertz also purchased from the Belle Vernon Light
and Heat Company the well oil the high land above the green
house of Samuel McKean, about a half mile from town in Rostraver township. All of these four wells have been piped to
the glass works, and at this date, October 15, 1887, all of the
ten pot furnaces are run with natural gas.
The Bellevernon Heat and Light Company was organized
under a charter granted by the Governor of this Commonwealth
bearing date March 15th, 1886. The corporators were R. C.
Schmertz and one of his sons, S. F. Jones, R. J. Linton and
T. L. Daly. The company during the year 1886 drilled
the well sold to R. C. Schmertz above mentioned, and
drilled a well of very great pressure on the farm of J. B.
Carson, in Washington county, one mile from the Monongahela river at Maple Creek.  The company laid pipe from this
latter well to Bellevernon and Gibsonton Mills, crossing the
river a short distance above the mouth of Maple Creek. The
pipe is laid along the river shore onl the east side to the upper
eIld of the town. The object of the company was to supply
Gibsonton, Bellevernon and the vicinity with natural gas as
fuel for manufacturing and domestic use to take the place of
coal. The right of way for the pipe was granted to the company by the Borough authorities on certain conditions of which
we are not informed.
376]The Old and New Monongahela.
On the 7th day of October, 1887, R. J. Linton introduced
the use of natural gas into his dwelling, being the first to use
it in the town as fuel.
BELLEVERNON ELECTRIC HEAT AND LIGHT COMPANY.
This company was chartered by the Governor May 27, 1892.
The corporaiors were J. C. Cunningham, Thomas G. Brown,
A. L. Brown, Isaac S. Van Voorhis and J. S. Van Voorhis.
Directors for 1893: A. L. Brown, Thomas G. Brown, J. S.
Van Voorhis and Isaac S. Van Voorhis. Treasurer, J. C.
Cunningham.
BELLEVERNON WATER COMPANY.
This company was chartered by the Governor May 27, 1892,
for the purpose of furnishing water for Bellevernon and territory adjacent thereto. The incorporators and officers for 1893
are same as the Electric Heat and Light Company.
BELLEVERNON BRIDGE COMPANY.
The design of this company is to construct a wagon and foot
bridge across the Monongahela river at Bellevernon.  The
company was incorporated February llth, 1891.  The Act of
Congress authorizing the construction was passed in February,
1893. The corporators were S.. F. Jones, J. S. Jones, S. C.
Speers, Charles P. Speers, Thomas P. Grant, J. S. Van
Voorhis, J. C. Cunningham, Isaac S. Van Voorhis, A. L.
Brown, T. L. Daly, R. J. Linton and W. J. Manown.
Directors for the year 1893: J. S. Van Voorhis, T. L.
Daly, Isaac S. Van Voorhis and Thomas P. Grant. Treasurer,
S. F. Jones. Secretary, J. S. Jones.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BELLEVERNON.
OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY,
WASHINGTON, February 7th, 1893.
Wh/ereas, by satisfactory evidence presented to the undersigned, it has been made to appear that the First National
377T'he Old and New lionongahela.
Bank of Bellevernon, in the town of Bellevernon, in the county
of Fayette, and state of Pennsylvania, has complied with all
the provisions of the Statutes of the United States required to
be complied with before an association shall be authorized to
commence the business of banking.
Now, therefore, I, Alonzo Barton Hepburn, Comptroller of
the Treasury, do hereby certify that the First National Bank
of Bellevernon, in the town of Bellevernon, in the county of
Fayette, and state of Pennsylvania, is authorized to commence
the business of banking, as provided in section fifty-one hundred
and sixty-nine of the revised Statutes of the United States.
In testimnony whereof, witnessed my hand and seal of office,
this 7th day of February, 1893.
A. B. HEPBURN,
[SEAL.]                           Comptroller of Currency.
The officers for the current year are as follows: Directors,
S. M. Graham, J. S. Henry, M. G. Finley, R. G. Patton,
Samuel Thompson, S. E. Taylor, W. J. Manown, Joseph A.
Cook and R. J. Linton.  President, W. J. Manown; Vice
President, R. J. Linton; Cashier, Joseph A. Cook; Assistant
Cashier, Frank Z. Taylor. Capital, $50,000.
CLEVELAND.COAL COMPANY.
The Cleveland Coal Company has its works a short distance
above Bellevernon and is largely engaged in shipping coal -by
railroad. Large tracts of coal land have been purchased by
different parties along Speer's Run and the "Middle Forks,"'
which will be operated through a lateral railroad along said
run, a survey of which has already been made. This lateral
railroad is supposed to have in view a connection with a bridge
connecting Charleroi, and thus the coal company will have the
advantages of shipment by either the Pittsburgh  Lake Erie
Railroad or the Pennsylvania.
378The Old and.New Monongahela.
ROMANA LAND COMPANY.
This company was incorporated in 1892. It holds in fee
simple the farm owned for many years by the late Samuel
Clarke, a short distance above Bellevernon, on the opposite
side of the river. Among the prominent stockholders are S.
M. Graham and Joseph S. Jones, of Bellevernon. It is the
intention of the company to lay out the bottom land in town
lots, and they have already had inducements which almost
guarantee the location of large manufacturing establishments.
There is no doubt but these beautiful bottom lands will in the
near future furnish the location of very inlportant business interests, as few places offer more eligible situations or more
favorable terms. Romana is destined to be a great hive of
industry.
The main street in Bellevernon was paved with brick during
the summer of 1893.
WASHINGTON AND WESTMORELAND FERRY COMPANY.
This company was incorporated in 1893 to conduct a ferry
between Charleroi in Washington county,.and Rostraver township in Westmnoreland county. Under the supervision of John
W. Irons it has already become a successful convenience to
the public, and will be in a short time a source of revenue to its
stockholders.
THE MILITIA, FOURTH OF JULY, TEMPERANCE, CENTENNIAL
AND RAILROADS.
The old militia system came to an end in this state in 1846,
about the time of the breaking out of the Mexican war. The last
company of imilitia to which citizens of Bellevernon belonged was
comlmanded by John R. Wilson, now of Uniontown. The law
required every able-bodied male citizen to be enrolled between
the ages of 18 and 45 years, and subject to duty under a penalty of one dollar for each day absent from muster. In the
last days of the law the fine was reduced to fifty cents.  On
379'The Old and New. Monongahela.
the first Monday of May each company had to muster, and
about the first of June the general or regimental parade took
place. The little muster was held for this neighborhood at
Cookstown and the general muster at Col. Billy Patterson's,
some distance above that place, in Jefferson township. The
militia was made up of companies commanded by a Captain,
with a First and Second Lieutenant; of regiments with their
Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major and Adjutant; of brigades
made up of regiments and commanded by Brigadier Generals;
of divisions in command of Major Generals. There was also
a Brigade Inspector in each county. These officers were generally well uniformed and presented a very fine appearance.
Uniformed volunteer companies were not uncommon in early
days. Any person serving seven years in one of such companies was exempt from military duty unless in time of war.
In the early forties the Washington Cavalry was in the pride
of existence. It was made up of the best men in the community.
John Ong was its captain until he removed west, then Jacob
Wolf, still living on Redstone, succeeded in the office. James
Cope, now a dentist, was first lieutenant; Richard Latta, orderly
sergeant.  Among the members of the company were Pierson
Cope, Samuel Galloway, Joseph Galloway, Jacob Housman,
the bugler, the Ellet boys, Jacob McLain, Lewis Krepps, Bazil
Brightwell, James McCrory, Edward, William and Crawford
Cook. The company had caps with the ostrich feathers; blue
coats trimmed with red.
The Monongahela Blues was a company of footmen composed of citizens of Cookstown, Bellevernon and the surrounding country.  James Hagerty and others from this vicinity
belonged to the company.  William  Krepps was the first
captain and Joseph Shepler was the last.  The company was
disbanded before the breaking out of the Mexican war.  The
uniform of this company was white pants, blue coats trimmed
with white, a heavy bell crowned leather cap with a white plume
tipped with-red.  Each one carried an old fashioned flint lock
musket, well polished, a cartridge box on one side and a bayv380The Old and New Mfonongahela.
onet sheath on the other, suspended to huge straps on each
shoulder.  Somewhere about 1840 these companies named
above, with the Jackson Guards from Monongahela City, and
others whose names have been forgotten, had a grand celebration on the 4th of July in a grove near the residence of the late
Robert Patterson.
The dinner was served on the lot now owned by Geo. Vernon, corner of Wood street and Strawberry alley. The Declaration of Independence was read by the late Dr. O. D.
Todd. David Smith, a revolution soldier, was present. He
was the grandfather of Mrs. Robert Patterson. His remains
repose in Rehoboth graveyard. On the breaking out of the
late rebellion the town was well represented in the army.
Hillery Miller was the first to enlist.  He enlisted in Capt. R.
F. Cooper's company of three months men, and within two
weeks after the call of the President for troops, April 15, 1861,
the company was in active service. Jeremiah Huttenhour,
killed at Petersburg, June 18, 1864, was the only one from
the town killed in battle, others were wounded and some died
in hospitals and at home from the effects of service. Among
many who volunteered early in the war we recall the names of
Michael Dolan, John Young, Wm. Bunting, Geo. W. Beam,
John FeIl, Joseph Wiltsie, Joseph T. Beall, J. W. Dean,
Chas. Hixenbaugh, Jesse Strickland, S. B. Miller.
Among the many large meetings held in the town in its history none perhaps were greater than on the 29th day of May,
1848, at which there was a Bible presented by the ladies to
Division No. 286, Sons of Temperance. The book was given
in the name of the ladies by the late Rev. J. G. Sanson, and
was received on the part of the Division by Dr. J. S. Van
Voorhis. An original ode on the Bible written by Miss Rebecca Van Voorhis, now of Spearville, Kansas, was sung by
the ladies. The speech of the day was delivered by J. Robinson Elder, at that time editor of the Temperance Banner,
and one of the most eloquent orators of his day.
The centennial of the signing of the Declaration of Inde381TNhe Old and New,   ononogahela.
THE DEDICATION.
The school building was dedicated July 1st, 1881, by Rev.
Dr. Higbee, State Superintendent.
REPORT OF BUILDING COMMITTEE.
WHAT IT COST.
Captain T. H. Williams, Chairman of the Building Committee, made the
following report;:
Paid John Kennedy for 100 feet square of ground............................$ 3,213  67
Damage to tenants on  same.......................................................  2.. 50  00
Wallace estate for one lot.............................................................................  65 97
$3,529 64
Contract with Neel, Blythe  Co., of our city, for the entire completion of the building.........................................................   17,750  00
Contract with Kelly  Jones, of Pittsburgh, for steam heating apparatus....................................................................................................   2,536     27
Contract with Keystone School-Church Furniture Co., for the entire
seating of building................................................................................  2,700  00
Contract with Mitchell, Vance   Co., New  York, for chandeliers......                        220  00
Coatract with Solomon Meredith for one  75-barrel cistern to supply
water for boilers.........................................................                75  00
Wm. Nelson   Sons, stone buttresses for front steps............................              125  00
Drum    Steen, architects.............................                                   230 00
$27,165  91
We issued on June 30, 1880, $17,300 bonds at 16 years, bearing 6 per cent.
interest, which we sold at a premium of 3 per cent. We issued on April 1,
1881, $6,000 6 per cent. bonds, running 20 years, which we sold at a premium
of 7 per cent., making a total bonded indebtedness of $23,000-bonds purchased by our own citizens.
T. H. WILLIAMS,                                   WM. J. ALEXANDFR,
Secretary.                                             President.
33l8The Old and New  ionongahela.
pendence was celebrated jointly July 4, 1876, by the citizens
of Bellevernon, Fayette City and surrounding neighborhoods.
The meeting was held in Springer's grove, midway between
the two towns on the hill road.  It was estimated to be the
largest assembly of people ever held in the Forks. Old and
young of both sexes were congregated to do honor to the day.
Rev. Marcus W. Wishart, then pastor of Rehoboth, presided
over the meeting.  Samuel McKean, as grand marshall of the
day, with his aids, had charge of the procession. Dr. J. S.
Van Voorhis delivered the historical address which was listened
to with very great attention by the immense crowd. In the
afternoon the pleasure was very much interfered with by a
severe rain storm.
In 1852 there was a prospect of the Hempfield railroad
crossing the river at this place in its route from Greensburg to
Wheeling.  Hon. T. M. T. McKennan, president of the
road from the steps of the residence of Solomon Speers
delivered an address on the subject, and regarded the
route with  favor.  The Mingo route, via Monongahela
City, was adopted, and after a very large sum of money had
been lavishly expended, the portion east of Washington was
abandoned.  In 1873, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company having purchased the Hempfield, changed its route from
Washington to a point near Layton's station, on its Connellsville branch.
A vast deal of work was done on the route including the
deep cut on the other side of the river from Bellevernon, and
a magnificent bridge located to pass from hill to hill over the
lower end of Main street and in the midst of apparent prospect of an early completion, the work was in May, 1874,
abandoned. Sometime subsequent to this date last mentioned,
a charter was obtained for a railroad to be run from Bellevernon to a point on the Connellsville railroad, near Amieville below West Newton. After sufficient stock had been subscribed
and a survey made, the project was given up and court dissolved the company. At this date, 1883, a charter has been
382The Old and New Mononqahela.
obtained for a railroad from McKeesport to this place, and the
prospect for its early completion is favorable. The town is
shut out from the transportation facilities which its business deserves. The glass works products and raw material are taken
across the river by a private ferry in charge of the firm, also
the transportation to and from  the Gibsonton distillery is
carried on by a rope ferry in charge of S. C. Speer. The public ferry owned by Noah Speers is now worked by a wire rope
and is the best conducted and safest ferry on the Monongahela
river.
NORTH BELLEVERNON.
It is situated in Westmoreland county, adjoining the borough
of Bellevernon, in Fayette county. It was laid out by the late
L. M. Speers.  On the original plan of lots we find the following note, viz: Diagram or plan of lots laid off by L. M.
Speers, situated on Bellevernon hill, second addition partly in
Westmoreland and partly in Fayette counties, April 9th, 1872,
D. B. H. Allen, Surveyor.   On the 23rd day of October, A.
D. 1875, a petition was presented to the Westmoreland county
court for the incorporation into a borough of that part of North
Bellevernon, within said Westmoreland county, bounded and
limited as set forth in said charter. February 26th, 1876, the
court issued a decree incorporating said borough, and' ordered
that the first election be held at the school house in said borough
on the 6th day of May, 1876, between the hours of one and six
o'clock p. m.  To hold said election, the court appointed
Samuel Dougherty, Judge; Frank Morgan and Thomas Hunt,
Inspectors. In the absence of a school house, this election was
held in S. Dougherty's carpenter shop, which was used for a
school house. The election board appointed A. G. Vahhook
and W. R. Springer, clerks.
This, the first election, resulted in the choice of the following persons for the different offices: Burgess, W. R. Springer;
Justice of the Peace, Samuel Dougherty; Council, Peter Corwin and Thomas Hunt for two years; John S. Henry and J. C.
383The Old and New  lMonongahela.
HIasson for three years; Francis Keistler and Samuel Dougherty for one year; School Directors: for one year, Thos. Hunt
and Wm. Jones; two years, Samuel Dougherty and Francis
Keistler; three years, J. A. Piersoll and John S. Henry;
Judge of Election, Samuel Dougherty; Assessor, J. S. Henry;
Assistant Assessors, J. C. Hasson and Thos. Hunt.  The first
meeting of the council was held in Dougherty's carpenter shop,
June 2, 1876. John S. Henry was elected President; J. C.
Hasson, Secretary; Thos. Hunt, Treasurer, and Peter Corwin,
Street Commissioner.
The first borough tax was one and one half mills, and was
levied July 27, 1876. The first code of ordinances was adopted
August 18 and September 12. J. C. Hasson was elected Collector. Among the many persons elected to the more important offices we note from the record the names of W. R.,
Springer, Samuel Dougherty, A. C. Dougherty, Thos. Hunt
and Wm. Jones for Burgess. For Justice, Samuel Dougherty,
J. A. Piersoll, J. E. Nutt, Thos. Hunt, Wnm. Jones, R. L.
Weller and J. S. Reeves. Several of these did not take out
their commissions.  W. R. Springer, under a commission bearing date of March 13, 1875, was the first acting Justice, being
elected in the township of Rostraver prior to the incorporation
of the borough.
For 3ouncil we note the names of Peter Corwin, J. S. Henry,
F. M. Keistler,, Samuel Dougherty, J. C. Hasson, Wm. Jones,
J. E. Nutt, C. A. Patterson, R. L. Weller, John L. Housman,
Leroy Bedsworth, Isaac H. Shepler, E. M. Kyle, John T.
Gould. The present Council, 1887, consists of J. S. Henry,
John T. Gould, F. M. Keistler, J. C. Hasson, E. M. Kyle
and R. L. Weller. The School Directors named above held
their first meeting June 6, 1876, but the record does not state
where. The Board was organized by electing Wm. Jones,
President; J. S. Piersoll, Secretary; Wm. Jones, Treasurer; and
Thos. Hunt Collector. The first assessment for the borough as
returned by the assessor amounted to $48,369. The rate for
1876 was fixed at 5 mills each for school and building purposes.
384[Ee Old and -New Monongahela.
The lot corner Grant and Henry streets was purchased from
L. M. Speers for a school house. The office of president and
treasurer being incompatible, Wm. Jones, July 17, 1876, resigned the office of treasurer and S. F. Jones was elected in
his place, and at the same date Homer Hunt was awarded the
contract for building the new school house, for the sum of
$854.81.  August 3, 1876, J. C. Hasson was elected teacher
for the fall and winter term.  September 29, 1876, school
house reported completed according to contract.  The term of
school was fixed to begin on the second Monday of October,
and the salary $45 per month.
November 30th, a joint meeting of the directors and those
of Lagrange was held at Lagrange, to which district this town
belonged before the formation of the borough, and resulted in
arranging matters so that the funds on hand should be equally
divided between the two districts, the whole amount being
$680.75, one-half going into the treasury of each district. May
4th, 1877, on first settlement in the district, whole amount of
money received during the year was $1,333.65, amount paid
out $1,224.51, Balance in treasury $109.14.
John S. Henry, J. A. Piersoll, Thomas Hunt, Sainuel
Dougherty, F. M. Keistler, William Jones, J. E. Nutt, Peter
Corwin, R. C. Guffy, John W. Goslin, L. H. Reeves, Isaac
H. Shepler, James Ferguson, W. R. Springer, R. L. Weller,
William Jones, have been directors. As teachers, John C.
Hasson, F. R. Hall, Leightty Steen, W. V. Barnurn, Miss
Bowman, Clara Lang, Miss Lizzie Morgan, L. M. Axtel, Miss
Stockdale, J. R. Bovard and Miss Alton have served.
In 1884 the sch'ool house was enlarged by an additional
story, and thereafter two schools were carried on to acommodate
the increasing population, and in 1892 one other room was
added.  In 1892-93 Alva Chalfant, Miss MeAlpin and Miss
Wylie were teachers.  In 1893, Prof. S. C. Kelley, Miss
Agness MeAlpin and Miss Charlotte Hlarr are the teachers.
Prior to the organization of the borough the citizens belonged
to the Lagrange independent school district.  In 1876 Eli W.
385The Old and New Monongahela.
Martin taught a school under the Lagrange authorities in
Dougherty's carpenter shop, situated on the southwest corner
of Spring and Hunt alleys.  This was the first school in the
town.  Samue'l Dougherty, now a resident of Rostraver, claims
to have built the first dwelling on the site of the town, not taking into account the primitive log house which stood in the rear
of the present residence of William Kyle, corner of State road,
and Grant street. Thomas Ward occupied this primitive house
when he erected his new house in Bellevernon in 1815, on the
corner of Main and Second streets. Richard Wells, the father
of Mrs. William Jacobs, afterwards lived in the old house, and
was perhaps the last who occupied it.  The occupants of this
house- used the water from the well-known spring that gushed
forth in such abundance for many long years on the State
road near Grant street.  This spring has disappeared since the
coal has been taken out underneath it. Samuel Dougherty, for
his new house on State road near Spring alley, hauled the lumber to the site on the 4th day of July, 1870, and moved into it
September 10 of the same year. The property is now owned
and occupied by John Gray.
The old coal mine was opened just in front of the house, but
during the building of the house it was nicely covered over
with earth.  Much of the ground on which the town is situated is undermined by the coal being taken out, though enough
was reserved to render perfectly secure the surface. The cavity
is filled with water which has been utilized through pipes leading from the mouth of the mine to the surface along State
Road to Short street. The house now owned and occupied by
S. Reeves, northwest corner of State Road and Short street,
and also the one owned and occupied by E. M. Kyle, north-east
corner of the same streets, were erected about the same year
as Dougherty's house; the former was built by Wm. P. Mackey
and the latter by Thos. Hunt, who purchased this, the first lot
in the town. These houses were built whilst the surrounding
ground was planted in corn. The flouring mill at the corner
of Speer street and Long alley was erected by John McLain
386.Th/e Old and NeVw Monongahela.
and Thos. IHunt in 1874, but now is owned and operated ex-,
clusively by the former.  Recently the roller process of making flour has been introduced, and now the mill has all the
machinery necessary to compete with city manufacturers.
The foundry on north side of State road above Spring alley
was built in 1873 by Daniel Johnson, now a resident of one
the western states.  It was purchased by Mackey and Linton
in 1875.  The foundry has been torn down and the beautiful
residence of John Smith stands now on its site.
Since 1875 the houses on the north-east corner of Graham
and Grant streets has been occupied as a parsonage for the
Presbyterian ministers of Bellevernon.  Rev. Perrin Baker,
the present pastor, occupies it at this date.  The Springer
house, north-west corner of Speer and Grant streets, was
erected by W. R. Springer in October, 1871.  It is now the
property of Everil T. Springer. He put a drug store in a part of
it in 1884, and remains as such to this date. James Webb had
a blacksmith shop in 1872 on Grant and Speer streets, being
the first shop in the town.  In 1877 A. C. Dougherty and a
man named Kinney started a marble works on the corner of
State road and Spring alley.  This firnl sold out to Steen and
Baird, and in a short time, about 1884, Alonzo Baird, one of
the partners, became sole proprietor, and carries on the business at this date.  W. S. Garret about 1876-77 had a marble
shop on Long alley, near Third street, in Bellevernon.  S. A.
Piersoll built a store room in 1880 on the south-east corner of
State road and Spring alley, and established the first store in
town.  He enlarged the store room to its present size in 1882.
Officers in 1892:  Burgess, vacant; Council, John Gray,
President, John H. Eller, S. Brogan, S. IMcKean, Jr., Joseph
Robinson, C. M. Jones; Borough Treasurer, E. M. Kyle;
Clerk of Council, J. R. Bovard; Justice, Wm. Lehew; Constable, J. L. HIousinan  School Directors, John Gray, H. M.
Fish, J. H. Eller, Pressly Jones, Joseph Williams, Edward
Jordon.  At this date, 1893, John S. Reeves is an acting
justice.
3873The Old and New Jlononqahela.
GIBSONTON.
This village is situated on the Monongahela river, in Westmoreland county, about one quarter of a mile below Bellevernon.  In 1771, Henry Speers the older and Regina Froman,
his wife, from Germany, settled near the site of this place and
became the owner of it, as well as a large tract of land surrounding it. The farm at that time was within the limits of
Bedford county, from which Westmoreland was formed February 26th, 1773.  Richard Penn was then Governor.  The old
log house, the primitive part of which he built, stood across the
ravine from the present stone mansion, where yet may be seen
some old fruit trees.  This was in time improved until it was
sixty feet long, most of the timber being hewn logs. The house
now occupied by Jacob Irons was built partly with logs taken
from this house.  Henry Speers the older died from the kick
of a horse in 1773, not having long enjoyed the comforts of
his new home.  His remains are supposed to be interred in the
graveyard near the present school house on the same farm.
We have no data on which to fix the date of the death of his
wife.  By his will, Henry Speers, May 14th, 1773, conveyed
the present Gibsonton farm to his son, Noah Speers, who, by
his will, bearing date of June 2nd, 1832, conveyed it to his
son, Noah W. Speers, now a resident of Memphis, Tennessee.
Noah Speers was born March 27th, 1769, being only about
two years old when his father, Henry Speers settled on the
farm.  He, that is, Noah, died June 9th, 1832, also from a
kick of a horse, having lived on this farm ever since his father
settled on it. The addition to the primitive house was built by
Noah Speers, this part being of hewn logs whilst the original
cabin was of round logs, as were all the first houses.
It was the second generation of settlers who in Western
Pennsylvania beganl to erect houses with hewn logs.  So far
as we can ascertain, the round logs in the primitive house
formed the blacksmith shop which once stood near the old residence, but most of which shop now constitute the old Jane
388The Old and New Monongahela.          389
Goe house on Bellevernon hill, to which place it had been
moved in 1843. The late Jas. Beazell for a time worked at
his trade in this shop whilst it stood on the Speers farm, of
which we are now writing. The old log barns which stood one
in the meadow just below the present road before reaching the
row of houses of Gibsonton, and the other on the site of the
present large frame barn in front of the residence of Jacob
Irons, were both burned about 1850 or 1851.  Noah Speers
was in his early days a large slaveholder, and to accommodate
his slaves he erected the main part of the stone mansion. His
slaves were manumitted under the gradual emancipation laws
and were all free before his death.  The mansion house was
enlarged and fitted up by Noah W. Speers for an academy in
1842, as we have already mentioned in a former part of this
history. He also resided in it after the school closed until the
farm was sold to John Niccolls in about the year of 1846. In
1848 it was sold to Wm. Eberheart, who remodelled and improved the stone mansion, putting on the cornice around the
roof and adding other chanlges which gave it a neat and desirable appearance. The present large frame barn on the public
road was built for Eberheart by the late Geo. Whiting, of Fayette city.  During his ownership Eberheart also had erected
the stable now standing near the mansion on the site of the
former one which was burned. After the financial embarrassment of Win. Eberheart in 1853, the farm was sold to J. K.
Moorhead by the Sheriff of Westmoreland county. The farm
was sold by Moorehead to John Gibson, of Philadelphia.  At
the death of John Gibson, his son Itenry C. became sole
owner. The extensive distillery known the world over as Gibsonton Mills, was erected on this farm in 1856-57 by the firm
of Join Gibson Son  Co. The firm subsequently took in
Charles Gibson, and then it was changed to John Gibson, Sons
 Co. On the death of Charles the firm became John Gibson
Son  Co.
After the death of John Gibson the firm was changed to John
Gibson's Son  Co. This firm was succeeded in January,
273lTe Old and New Monongahela.
1884, by Messrs. Moore  Sinnott, who at this time carry on
the mammoth establishment. These mills as originally erected
were superintended by Westley Ballinger, of Philadelphia, who
took charge in 1856 and remained until April, 1858, a short
time after the distillery went into operation.  The main building was built of hewn sandstone taken from a quarry on the
farm. Westley Ballinger was succeeded by Harrison Mason,
of Brownsville. In November, 1858, L. C. Baldwin was
placed in charge as superintendent. He remained until July,
1873. In the same month he was succeeded by Thomas L.
Daly, the present efficient superintendent.
The distillery was put in operation in April, 1858. Thomas
Daily, father of Thomas L., superintended the placing in position the distillery apparatus, but April 7, 1858, a few days
before the starting of the mills, he by some misstep fell through
one of the hatchways and was killed. He was a man of extraordinary genius, beloved by all with whom he associated,
and his death was a loss not easily to be replaced in the establishment.
Harrison Mason was' the first miller.  The first distiller was
Thomas Donaway, who took charge in April, 1858. He'remained until the fall of 1869.  He is now a resident of Virginia City, Cass county, Ill. John D. Yerty succeeded him.
He left in 1872, and in a few years afterwards died near Monongahela City.  The present distiller is James Frost, who
took charge in 1880.
Joseph Abell was the first foreman in the cooper shop, and
made the first barrel in this shop for the firm. He took charge
in 1858 and left in 1868. He died in Monongahela City. John
W. Wilkinson since February, 1866, has been engineer and
general machinist.  Edward Hendrickson, now deceased, had
been miller for twenty years, and had also been grain inspector.
Among the first coopers, we recall the names of Andrew Graham, William  Gall; Samuel Alloways, William  McFall, Ben
Bayless, William Garten.
On the morning of December 11, 1882, the main building
390The Old and New Monongahela.
with warehouse No. 1 were consumed by fire, occasioned by
the explosion of the copper still. Win. Lucas, a soldier of the
late war, was so badly injured by the explosion as to die in a
short time.  He was attending to his duties about the still
when the accident occurred.
Three thousand barrels of whiskey were lost by the
fire. The main building and warehouse were rebuilt and ready
for starting in October, 1883. June 2, 1883, warehouse No.
2 and 3 were consumed by fire through an accident happening
inside one of the buildings. Quite a number of persons were
more or less injured but none fatally. The loss in this case
was 7,000 barrels of whiskey. The present capacity of these
mills is 1,000 bushels daily and warehouses for 100,000 barrels.
The telegraph office at these mills was established in 1877,
with Allen Wilson the first operator. The present operator is
W. H. Lewis, (1893.)
The postoffice of Gibsonton was established in July, 1884,
with T. L. Daly postmaster.  L. R. Boyle had been bookkeeper for the firm since April, 1869, and to his death. The late
John F. Beazell was night watchman for many years and was
succeeded by the present incumbeiit, Fred. Mounser. Thos.
L, Daly, the present superintendent, grew to manhood with his
father around the mills, and was whilst quite young an employee.  He after leaving these mills was for mainy years proprietor of the well known Boyle distillery in Washington
county, Pa., and was in business in Monongahela City when
he was tendered his present position.
The products of the "Gibsonton Mills " are sought after in
every state and territory in the United States. The firm export to many foreign countries including China.  No article is
turned out but the pure whiskey manufactured from rye by the
most modern chemical process.
The establishment in all its departments is most complete.
The machinery includes all the latest improvements.  The
grain is ground by the recently invented roller process.  At
this date, November 15, 1893, natural gas is introduced
391ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS,
IN THE YEAR 1893, BY
JOHN S. VAN VOORHIS,
IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS, \
AT WASHINGTON, D. C.The Old and New iononyahela.
Quite a large number of prominent educators were in attendance during the dedication, among whom were Rev. Dr. Higbee, State Superintendent, Prof. George J. Lucky, City Superintendent of Pittsburgh, Rev. George P. Beard, President
of the State Normal School at California, Prof. J. H. Darling,
Superintendent of Allegheny Schools, Prof. G. E. Hemphill,
Superintendent of Allegheny ward schools, Prof. Teal, County
Superintendent of Greene County, Prof. E. W. Mouck, Superintendent of Washington County.
THE NEW SCHOOL HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE.
This beautiful school building was of short life. On Friday
morning, March 2, 1883, the whole building was destroyed
by fire. We extract from the Daily Repoublican the particulars
of the fire.  The Republica~n of the 3d says:
"We have to record the most disastrous fire that ever occurred in this city  About 4 o'clock Mr. Simmons in company with some fellow miners going to work discovered the
block, corner Main and Fourth streets, on fire.  It seemed
to them to be just under or just back of the stairway leading
to the Record printing office and R. F. Cooper's photograph
rooms.  The building in which the fire originated was built last
spring, and was a wooden tinder box, made of pine lumber and
filled with paint; a mere shell, which was soon in so hot a
blaze that it was impossible to pass up Main street between it
and the Central Block. The flames soon spread to the wagon
shops adjacent, and that too blazed like a straw pile.  It was
soon evident that unless something was speedily done the new
school house must fall a prey to the flames.  A feeble effort
was made to tear the shops down, but the utter lack of appliances and the fast encroaching heat soon rendered all attempt
in this direction futile.  Then the cry went up' The school
house is afire,' and soon the tongue of flame licking the cornice and eating its way into the roof sent a shudder through
the thousands of oi-lookers, and for a while paralyzed all
efforts.  Could it be possible? Must that splendid building,
34The Old and New Monongahela.
and used instead of coal, the mills and dwellings all being
heated by gas. In connection with the mills is a complete
water works distributing water from the Monongahela river all
through the establishment and dwellings.
From Bellevernon Enterprise, July 19, (1890.)
GIBSONTON'.
A history or sketch of Bellevernon would be incomplete
without reference to this valuable suburb.  In the bend of the
beautiful Monongahela river, in Westmoreland county, about
one-fourth mile below Bellevernon, nestled among the lovely
shade trees, is the works.,
The introduction of the excise law was the death-blow of
the small distiller.  It was a case of the survival of the fittest,
and from that time forth instead of small establishments run
in connection with other interests, large mills succeeded them,
which supply thousands of barrels annually to all parts of the
world. The most widely known and greatest of these manufactories is situated at Gibsonton, on the east bank of the
Monongahela, aboLut forty-two miles from Pittsburgh..
To subdue the whiskey rebellion it cost the government of
the United States $669,992.34. In the year 1885, and nearly
every year since, the same government received in taxes alone
from  the great Gibson Distillery at Gibsonton, the sum of
$675,000, or more than the cost of the entire rebellion!
In 1854 the late John Gibson, of Philadelphia, who had
been in the habit of making large purchases of Monongahela
whiskies in the valley, found himself unable to secure the
quantities that his growing business demanded. The local distillers objected to selling in large quantities-they were content
with a certain annual production, and would not listen to any
suggestion as to its increase.  Mr. Gibson, withla view to the
future, thereupon determined to erect a distillery of his own
and on a grander scale than had yet been seen in western Pennsylvania.  In 1856 the corner stone of the present works was
laid. and in April, 1858, the first whiskey was made at the
392The Old and New ifonongahela.
distillery. When Mr. Gibson began building, his neighbors
strongly advised him against committing what they termed an
act of the greatest folly.  The idea was termed extravagant,
and a speedy failure was predicted by those who were considered among the farseeing ones in the neighborhood. Mr.
Gibson, however, still persevered in his building. He saw the
advantages of the situation and its undoubted future.  When
completed the capacity of the work was 250 bushels of rye per
day.  At various times down to the year 1882 it rose to 750
bushels. In December, 1882, the works were destroyed by
fire, and in their rebuilding, the capacity was further increased
to 1000 bushels a day, which amount they have retained to
the present time.
Upon the death of Mr. John Gibson in 1865, he was succeeded by his son, Mr. Henry C. Gibson, who, together with
Mr. Andrew M. Moore and Mr. Joseph F. Sinnott, formed the
firm of John Gibson's Son  Co. In 1884. Mr. Henry C.
Gibson retired from business, and the firm's name was again
changed to that of Moore  Sinnott, the present proprietors of
the Gibsonton distillery.
Gibsonton is a model manufacturing town. The settlement
consists of thirty-two comfortable dwelling houses for the employes of the works; twelve great warehouses, which contain
at times as high as 100,000 barrels of whiskey; three principal
mills, stave and barrel shops scattered here and there, and the
numerous lesser offices which are necessary in a large manufacturing center.  In addition to this there are six live stock
barns on the premises which cover from ten to fifteen acres of
land.  In these 12,000 hogs are annually fed with the refuse
from the distillery, occupying the pens in four relays of 3,000
each every year.
The employes of the firin live in comfortable cottages, which
are leased to them at a nominal rent. They are a prosperous,
thriving set of artisans, and are seldom known to change their
employment. Each cottage has its little garden alongside, and
nea rly every tenant posesses a cow or two and is interested in
3934The Old and Newl Monongahela.
the improvement of his individual holding as well as the larger
work in the mills. They are usually men of family and children of all ages may be seen at all times crowding the streets
or coming to and from the'little school which has been built
upon the estate. Counting the manufactories, wood land and
farm land, the settlement of Gibsonton covers about 400 acres.
The land is fertile and full of promise.  From two-thirds or
three-fourths of it is underlaid with a fine vein of bituminous
coal, and the Gibsonton quarries, situated on the property, produce sufficient limestone for all the building purposes that can
ever be needed.
Under the present rules there can be no collusion by which
whiskey can be abstracted in the manufactory. The workmen
cannot have access to the spirits they are making and consequently a great source of temptation-that of drinking-is entirely removed. In Gibsonton to-day, although the greatest
whiskey center of this country, there is not a single workman
on the premises who could procure without permission a pint
of whiskey for himself, no matter how much he might try to do
so.  The consequence of this is that there are none of those
scenes which the -ill-informed commonly associate with the
localities in which alcoholic liquors are manufactured in great
quantities.  The general manager of the works, Mr. T. L.
Daly, is a thorough disciplinarian in this respect.  He holds
that it would not be just to pass over the Gibsonton distilleries
without mention of some of the associate industries which
cluster around the institution.  Of these the most important
as well as the most interesting, is the coopering department.
All the barrels used for storing the whiskey are made upon the
premises. The staves of which they are made are of solid
oak. They are secured from Kentucky and Indiana, and a
stock of about one million is continually carried in order that
they may be well seasoned.
Each stave is kept exposed to the atmosphere for three
years before it is considered sufficiently well seasoned to be
used in the manufacture of barrels.  And here it may be re394The Old and New Monongathela.
marked that one of the chief points in the distilling trade is
the provisions for the future. The grain market must be closely
studied, and favorable opportunities for buying can never
be allowed to escape. The probable consumption for years
ahead must be considered with prophetic eye.  The supply
must be equal to a future demand and must not exceed it. The
possible effect of legislation must be taken into account and a
policy shaped suitably to its provisions.  In every way the
distiller must be far seeing, and must consider the future as of
equal importance with the present.
The case of the manufacture of barrels in one respect furnishes a problem that may be of interest to American inventors.
Up to the present time no machine has been invented that will
make a perfect whiskey barrel. They are all made by hand.
No nails are used in their construction. The workmen, wonderfully skilled to their trade, put them together with almost
incredible speed. An expert can, without aid, put together
and make three complete barrels a day-a wonderful performance, considering the solidity and difficulty of their construetion.  In the barrel factory at Gibsonton, however, each man
has a certain assigned task to perform, and thus by combining
the whole force is enabled to work in a quicker as well as a
more systematic manner.  One man shapes the staves, another
with his compass and adze, traces out the headings, another
puts the barrel in shape, and still another tightens the rivets
which hold the parts together.  No barrel is used twice.
They are all new and, when they leave the store houses at Gibsonton they never return.  One hundred thousand, however,
filled with whiskey of different ages, are resting in the
warehouses at present. These will be removed a batch at a
time as future consumption may demand.
Another department of the Gibsonton works, and one scarcely less interesting than the cooper shop, is the malt house.
The works malt all their barley required in the process of
whiskey manufacture. The amount of malt used averages
from thirty to fifty thousand bushels a year.  It is obtained
395The Old and New Monongahela.
mostly from Canada and shipped directly to the mills. Here
it is cleaned, steeped and spread on stone floors unitil used.
All the barley malt is kiln dried like the rye.
The magnitude of the business transacted by the firm of
Moore  Sinnott is exceedingly great. Although their distillery is situated at Gibsonton, their principal office is at 232
and 234 South Front street, Philadelphia.  They have branch
offices in New York, Boston, New Orleans, San Francisco,
Charleston, Savannah and Augusta, Georgia. Each year their
taxes to the government exceeds half a million of dollars, and
their freight carried by the railroads reaches as high as five
thousand carloads.. The whiskey from Gibsonton supplies the
majority of the wholesale dealers throughout the United States,
but the reputation of their whiskies is not confined to this
country alone. At the present time Gibson whiskies are being
shipped to Mexico, the West Indies, France, England, and
even China, in large quantities.  Over $50,000 is paid out
annually in wages at Gibsonton, and the company own no
stores; hence Bellevernon reaps a large benefit therefrom.
The large plant lies on the line of the McKeesport  Bellevernon Railroad, which is operated by the P.  L. E. Company.
The shipments are made also by P. R. R. and boats.
This place, like Bellevernon, is a natural gas town.  The
Bellevernon Light and Heat Company piped the place, and
for some years have been furnishing the plant as well as
the homes with gas. Mr. Daly having faith in the farm being
on the line of the great gas belt, secured Mr. Stewart, who has
drilled two wells, the capacity of either being sufficient to
furnish twice as much gas as is needed for all purposes. D.aly
 Co. purchased the pipe line of the Light and Heat Company
and furnish gas now for themselves.
That this is the secti6n for any one contemplating locating
in a rapidly growing and popular place, no one doubts.  This
is a healthy boom and no mistake.
396Tlke Old and New Mfononqahelcla.
(From Bellevernon Enterprise.)
NATURAL GAS.
The stranger visiting Bellevernon for the first time cannot
fail to be impressed with the clearness of the atmosphere.
Great establishments covering acres of ground, and with stacks
pointing high into the sky, front on the river.  There is ample
evidence that they are in full operation, but no smoke rolls
from their stacks and there is no grim anywhere to. mar the
beauty of the surroundings. Ask the reason for this and the
average intelligent citizen of Bellevernon will say:  " It is
because we have natural gas."  And then the visitor may expect to be entertained with an enthusiastic description of the
richness of the natural gas territory surrounding Bellevernon;
the wonder of natural gas as a fuel; the comfort and luxury
it has brought to the people of Bellevernon, and the great aid
it will be in working out the destiny of what every true Bellevernonite believes will be a great city.
The boasts may seem overdrawn, but only until the visitor
has some knowledge of their foundation.   Then  it must
appear that eloquent statement is necessary to convey an idea
of the wonders of Bellevernon's natural gas field.  And it
must appear too, that when all has been told, words have fallen
far short of adequately paying tribute to the beneficient work of
Dame Nature, who has supplied right at the doors of our people a fuel whose quality for light and heat are unexcelled, and
that in quantities that justify the claim that the supply is inexhaustible, and whose measurement places the Bellevernon gas
field in the lead of all others in point of richness.  Some idea
of the facts may be obtained when it is stated that the production of two of the wells of the Bellevernon Light and Heat
Company is 45,000,000 cubic feet of gas every twenty-four
hours. The figures are almost too great for comprehension, but
they are most eloquent testimony to the magnitude of the
Bellevernon natural gas interests, and the most cogent reason
for the confidence of our people in the future of our town.
397Thle Old and New MJonongahela.
It is fair to presume that natural gas has been with us as long
as the hills and rivers, and everything else that surrounds us, but
it did not proclaim its presence.  It was found only after a
long search, in which the people of Bellevernon displayed that
patience and perseverance that is one of the most important
elements in the success of any community, and whose possession and exercise is always a subject for congratulation. It was
about the year 1865 that the presence of natural gas was first discovered at Bellevernon.  Mr. L. M. Speer while drilliing a
well for oil struck a flow of gas at a depth of 1,000 feet. The
value of the discovery was not apprehended at that time, and'it was not until eighteen years later, in 1883, that the first real
efforts to find gas with the idea of utilizing it as a fuel were
made. In the fall of that year a well was put down on the
river bottom by R. C. Schmertz  Co.  At a depth of 2,800
feet enough gas was found to justify the belief that Bellevernon was either directly on the natural gas belt, or so near to it
as to leave no doubt that if the search were continued gas sufficient for all purposes would be' found. This conviction was
all that was necessary to furnish the leading spirits of Bellevernon with the incentive to exertion, which should be continued until the end was reached. R. C. Schmertz  Co.
drilled three more wells, testing the territory along the river
for a mile north of their factory.  In one of the wells the bit
was lost at a depth of 1,000 feet, and work was abandoned.
The other wells showed gas in small quantities, but proved that
the true gas belt had not been found. The Schmertz and other
developments had involved the outlay of a small fortune without securing important results, save to deepen the conviction
in the minds of Bellevernon's progressive men that natural
gas in great quantities could be found if the search for it was
continued.
It was decided to work systematically, and the Bellevernon
Light and Heat Company, with a capital stock of $10,000, divided into 200 shares of $50 each, was formed, and a charter
was obtained March 5th, 1886. The incorporators were R. C.
398lThe Old and New _Monongahela.
Schmertz. W. E. Schmertz, Jr., S. F. Jones, T. L. Daly and
R. J. Li-nton.   The first officers were R. C. Schmertz, President; S. F. Jones, Vice President; R. J. Linton, Secretary.
The first move of the company was to secure the services of
J. C. White, State Geologist, and Professor of Geology in the
University of West Virginia, to survey the field and point out
a suitable location for a well.   Professor White designated a
spot north of Bellevernon, on which was drilled a well known
as the Carnes well.  This well when completed showed a
pressure of thirty pounds to the minute.  It was the largest
flow so far discovered, and while the pressure as compared with
that of what are now known as Bellevernon's great gas wells
was small, the Carnes well was regarded as of great importance.
The well was sold to Mr. Schmertz, who laid a pipe line to his
glass factory, and the gas has been used there ever since.
More important than this, however, was the determination
of the company to prosecute in a new direction the search for
gas. That four wells should have been completed and another
partially drilled without striking gas in great quantity, might
have been considered good reason to believe that rich strikes
could not be made in the vicinity of Bellevernon. But the
people of Bellevernon were not made of that kind of stufftheir faith was not exhausted. While they had faith they were
willing to spend money, and they decided to drill another well
and in a new direction.
While Professor White was prospecting for the company,
S. F. Jones made himself familiar with the anticlinal and other
theories.  This knowledge Mr. Jones utilized at this juncture.
With a pocket compass and an atmospheric barometer he ran
a line across the Monongahela river below Gibsonton. The
line struck the west shore of the river near the mouth of Maple
creek, and then ran through John Redd's farm to a point one
mile beyond B. L. Parson's farm. The company decided to
drill a well on J. B. Carson's farm, one' mile from the river,
in Washington county. This well was completed September
15th, 1887. It showed a pressure of 125 pounds to the minute.
399400The Old and New Xillononqahela.
At last Bellevernon had natural gas in sufficient quantities to
enable its people to not only supply themselves with light at
nominal cost, but to hold out inducements to capitalists in other
quarters to cast their lot with them and share their good
fortune.
The company at once contracted for pipe and proceeded to
lay a six-inch line from the well to the river at a point opposite
Gibsonton Mills. There the river was crossed, and then the
line ran up the east shore to the glass factory, a distance of
two miles from the well. The work was completed and gas
delivered to the distillery and factory about November 15th,
1887.  Ten days later the fuel was turned into the dwellings
of the-people of Gibsonton and Bellevernon, and they have
since had a steady and cheap supply of light and fuel.
On January 12, 1888, a resolution was passed by the gas
company to increase its capital stock from $10,000 to $100,000.
This action was proposed because more than double the original capital had been expended on the plant, and because it was
considered wise to make further developments.  The increase
was properly authorized February 26, 1888. The additional
stock was taken by the stockholders in the same proportion as
their former holdings, and paid up stock certificates to the
amount of $50,000 were issued.
With abundant capital and a firm faith in the richness of the
territory, the Bellevernon Light and Heat Company secured
valuable leases and concluded to drill two additional wells, one
each on the Parsons and Rider farms. That on the Parson's
farm was begun on April 4, 1888, and completed May 21st,
the gas sand having been reached on the 16th. The Rider
farm  well was completed soon after.  The two wells rank
among. the wonders of the natural gas development of the
country. Their combined daily production is not less than
45,000,000 cubic feet of gas.  Natural gas strikes were becoming common when these wells were brought in, but so
great was the volume of the gas put out that they attracted
widespread attention from all parts of the country. The roar of
400The Old and New Xonongahela.              401
the gas escaping from them could be heard for miles. It sounded
a proclamation to the world that the enterprise and energy
of Bellevernon's people had been rewarded; that gas in quantities beyond the wildest expectations of the people had been
found, and that the quiet trip of S. F. Jones, with his pocket
compass and barometer, had resulted in defining the lines of a
natural gas field, whose existence had not only not been suspected, but whose richness was beyond compare. The sound
was music to the ears of the people of Bellevernon, and they
had a right to so regard it.  It was a clarion note of invitation
to the whole country to come and see and be convinced that to
Bellevernon's manifest advantages of long standing had been
added another and the greatest of all the advantages, one
which in a day placed Bellevernon in the front rank of suitable locations for great enterprises.
R. C. Schmertz, the President of the Bellevernon Light and
Heat Company, died just a few days before the first of the
great wells in the Maple creek field was brought in. Mr.
Schmertz was one of the most indefatigable spirits in the
prosecution of the search for natural gas, and one of the most
firm believers in the possibility of Bellevernon's future if the
new fuel could be found in large quantities.  It was his sturdy
faith that was proof against the repeated discouragements that
attended the first year's experiments.  And rarely has faith
been more richly justified.  Rarely, too, it must be said, has
any man earned a greater amount of gratitude than that which
the people of Bellevernon owe to R. C. Schmertz.
Mr. Schmertz was succeeded as president of the Bellevernon
Light and Heat Company by S. F. Jones, who was also made
general superintendent with large powers. T. L. Daly became
vice president; R. J. Linton, secretary; and J. S. Jones,
treasurer.   During the year 1.888 contracts were entered inlto
with the Brownsville, Fayette City and Lock No. 4 Gas
Company to supply them with gas.  Since that time, these
companies, as well as Bellevernon and Gibsonton, have been
amply supplied from two wells through a system of high presThe Old and New ]Jfonongt!hela.
the pride of our hearts, the magnificent School Building, pronounced by the State Superintendent'the finest in the state,'
must it be given a prey to the relentless flames?  Alas, it is
too true.'
ADDRESS.
[Address delivered at the Re-dedication of the Public School House, Monongahela City, Pa., September 27, 1883, by Prof. George P. Fulton, of the
Hiland Public School, Pittsburgh, Pa.:]
To ask me to speak here to-night is like calling upon a man
to respond to a toast at the marriage feast of his step-mother.
The bride is young and fair, as all brides are. His father's
face beams on the throng of smiling guests.  The table is
spread and the light is gleaming on china and glassware and
silver. The limpid golden notes of the marriage bell ringing
over all. But can the son of the woman who is dead, of the
wife whose place is being taken by the stranger, speak in accord with all tlhis? Will there not more likely rise up in his
memory the scenes of that other day, the outgoing of that other
wife-his mother?  This bride is fair, but his mother's face
was more rarely pale that day.
Many of these same guests were there. Their jests were
neither so light nor so loud, but the clasp of their hands was
closer and the bells rang then.  Can he speak to the toast of
this new bride when his heart is full of the other?  Do not ask
him. He sees the dark pall loom across the lights of revelry
and through all the merry jest and compliment of the banquet
rings a sound as of the far-off tolling of a bell.  His face is set
toward the feast but his heart turns backward to the funeral.
So mine to-night.  I turn my face to this fine, large building,
with its wide halls and spacious rooms and artistic furnishings.
This commodious structure which your intelligence and thrift
have builded, and your affection and forethought are dedicating
to your children, but my eyes are full of another picture.  I
have in my mind two other school houses-nay, three-for
some of the boys are doubtless here. The grey-bearded boys
35402            The Old and New MJonongahela.
sure pipe lines aggregating about 20 miles in length.   Eight
miles of this line belongs to the Bellevernon Light and Heat
Company, and is supplied with improved appliances for safety
and economy. Recently the company assigned a portion of its
territory to the Monongahela Natural Gas Company, of Pittsburgh, on advantageous terms.   The Philadelphia Company
has also some territory and some good wells in the Bellevernon
and Maple Creek fields. The Bellevernon Light and Heat
Company, however, has reserved enough territory of approved
quality to guarantee an inexhaustible supply of natural gas for
all time.
There is another important fact in connection with the Bellevernon gas field, however, which deserves extended mention.
Within the past few months two wells have been drilled on the
east side of the river, about a quarter mile north of Gibsonton.
One of these wells is directly on the anticlinal line defined by
the Carson, Parson and other good wells in the Maple Creek
field, and the other is a short distance east of the line.  These
wells are known as the Daly wells, in honor of T. L. Daly, who
is responsible for the experiment in this direction.   They are
both good wells and are of the highest importance, as proving
that the gas belt which is so wonderfully rich in the Maple
Creek field crosses the Monongahela river in a northerly direction and runs into Westmoreland county, no person yet knows
how far.  The territory will be thoroughly tested, however,
and it will not be strange if the field in which the Daly wells
are located proves as rich as that which has produced the wonderful wells on the western side of the river.
There is no doubt of thQ staying qualities of the wells on
both sides of the river.  They may fail in time, but the people
of Bellevernon have secured enough territory to make sure of
a plentiful supply of gas at nominal rates to all who come for
generations.
Thus the people of Bellevernon have every right to proclaim
their advantages over other towns to the world. They ask for
nothing better than that capitalists who are seeking for advanThe Old and New Monongah7ela.
tageous locations'shall come and see what Bellevernon has to
offer.  Here is natural gas in quantities too great for measurement; here are facilities for the transportation of freight,
either by rail or river, that are unsurpassed anywhere; here
are great beds of coal and limestone and sand; here are free
sites for any responsible parties who will locate with us, and
here are a people who have shown themselves progressive,
public spirited and ready to help along any enterprise that will
aid in the development of their town and its surroundings.
GLASS WORKS OF R. C. SCHMERTZ  CO.
Spread over five acres of level ground at the south end of
the town is one of Bellevernon's proudest monuments.  It is
not a shapely shaft surrounded by beautiful gardens, but a collection of substantial brick buildings, the glass works of R. C.
Schmertz  Co., Limited, whose product has done more to
make the name of Bellevernon known to the outside world
than anything else that has gone out of the town, and at the
same time has added year after year to the prosperity of its
people.
Glass making is among the oldest of the important industries of Bellevernon.  Far back in the thirties its advantages
as a site for a glass factory were recognized, and in 1836 or
1837 a factory was established by William Eberheart.  Not
much information of its size or capacity is in existence, but it
is known that it was a small affair, and it is fair to presume
that its owner never dreamed that fifty-three years later one of
the largest manufactories in the country would be located on
the ground where he made his beginning.
After some years the property passed into the hands of Geo.
A. Berry, now president of the Citizens National Bank, of
Pittsburgh, and was operated by him until the year 1865,
when it was purchased by the late R. C. Schmertz, who united
with careful business training amount of indomitable energy
that was certain to cause to grow to its fullest capacity any enterprise in which he was interested.
4034The Old and New Monongahela.
Mr. Schmertz formed the firm of R. C. Schmertz  Co.,
consisting of himself, William Loeffler and R. J. Linton.  In
the hands of this firm the plant has grown to its present proud
dimensions and has attained, in many important particulars, a
position far in advance of any concern of the kind in the
country. Mr. Schmertz died in 1888. The mlembers of the
firm now are the Schmertz heirs, William Loeffler and Robert
J. Linton, and the corporate name, R. C. Schmertz  Co.,
limited. The manager of the factory is Lawrence Morrison.
The establishment consists of ten four-pot furnaces, five
flattenling ovens, a large three-story pot room, immense cutting
rooms, two large ware rooms, batch room, clay house, grinding
room, pot room for working flattening stones and furnaces,
saw mill and box shop, pot shell room, lime and sand houses,
etc., all closely connected and conveniently arranged.  The
last warehouse to be erected is 60x3.00 feet, and it is certain
that the end of the growth is not yet.  When to this statement
is added the fact that the capacity of the establishment is 4, 000
boxes of glass each week, those who have any knowledge of
glass industry will appreciate the important position in the
manufacturing world held by the firin of R. C. Schmertz  Co.,
limited.
But this importance is as largely due to excellence in special
lines as to the mere capacity of the establishment.  At the
Schmertz factories glass making has always been conducted on
the most scientific principles and the best results have therefore
been secured.  The factory is famous for its ability in twentyfour hours to transform the raw materials from which glass is
made into highly polished sheets of double-thick glass of the
largest size made in the country, ready for shipment.  In the
cutting rooms may be seen sheets 36x96 inches, 42x88 inches,
44x80 inches, 46x98 inches, 48x80 inches, 50x74 inches.
Many of these sheets contain nearly 4,000 square inches of
glass.
The aim of the firm for years has been to make the quality
of the glass manufactured by them equal to the product of the
404lThe Old: and New Monongahela.
famous Belgian factories. How well they,have succeeded may
be understood when it is stated that the Schmertz glass is to a
great extent used for pictures, show cases and large store fronts,
taking in each of these particulars the place of imported glass
and giving in every case equal, if not better, satisfaction.
Another important particular in which the firm of R. C.
Schmertz  Co., Limited, excels is in the manufacture of
ground and frosted glass, which is now so largely used for
office partitions and windows. This firm was'the first in the
United States to add this department to the manufacture of
window glass, and in doing so again proved the ability of
American glass manufacturers to compete with those of Europe
in a field that was considered most firmly held by them.
Not the least interesting or important of the features of this
great glass establishment is the saw mill and box factory. The
firm buys lumber in large quantities in the river, piles it up in
the yard and drys it, and then seasons it and cuts the boards
up into the thousands of boxes that are required every week to
ship the finished product. The Schmertz firm is the only glass
concern that does this, and it is an important advantage.
Another advantage is the fact that the railroad runs into the
factory yard and that the rates for freight are those ruling at
Pittsburgh.
The firm employs over 200 men, and these enjoy the proud
distinction of receiving higher wages than those employed in
any other glass factory in the country. Some men make from
$300 to $500 in four weeks, and all are well paid, many having been in the employ of the firm for many years and are
among the most respected citizens of the town.
In September, 1893, the R. C. Schmertz  Co., limited, was
merged into the R. C. Schmertz Glass Company, incorporated
with a capital of $250,000, of which Wm. Loeffler is President,
A. L. Swift is Secretary, and Wm. E. Schmertz, Jr., Treasurer.
Principal office at Pittsburgh. The company has just completed a tank of 48 pots capacity, with a ten pot furnace,
making an increased capacity of 50 per cent.
28
405The Old and New Jlono~ngahela.
EXTRACTS FROM THIE BELLEVERNON ENTERPRISE.
Any history of the town of Bellevernon would be incomplete and unsatisfactory without reference to the gentlemen who
are and who have been for years untiring in their efforts to
bring the advantages of our town before the world.  In doing
this they have, unconsciously perhaps, performed a great service to all our people, in that they have kept awake in the heart
of every man the spirit of "push " which is so essential to the
well-being of every community.  Their example in enterprise
and public spirit has always been earnest and effective, and the
people of Bellevernon are largely in their debt.
S. F. JONES.
One of the most familiar figures on the streets of Bellevernon, and one of the leaders in everything calculated to advance
its interests, is S. F. Jones. Mr. Jones is manager of the firm
of S. F. Jones  Co., bankers, and also president of the Bellevernon Light and Heat Company.  He was born in Rostraver
township, Westmoreland county, Pa.; was educated in the
common schools; followed the life of a farmer nntil 1872,
when he and his brother, William, formed the banking house
of S. F. Jones  Co., meeting a want long felt at Bellevernon.
Notwithstanding it was a new experience for him, and the
great panic of 1873 coming so soon after, this firm stenmmned
the tide, and to-day is one of the firm financial fixtures of
Bellevernon.  He is also one of the firm of thle Bellevernon
Saw and Planing Mill Company, doing an extensive business.
Mr. Jones is largely interested in the development of the'
Maple Creek gas fields, and it was in a great measure due to
his efforts that the late R. C. Schmertz was induced to join
with a few capitalists in the organization of the Light and HIeat
Company, of which Mr. Jones is president and general superintendent.  This company was the pioneer in the Bellevernon
and Maple Creek field which has attracted so much attention.
He is also vice-president of the Fayette City Natural Gas Co.
406The Old and New Jonongahela.
He was one of the chief promoters and devoted much time
securing rights of way and encouraging the building of tho
McKeesport and Bellevernon R. R. Mr. Jones combines
thorough painstaking with great enterprise and executive ability. He is always active for the public good and is prominent
in all of Bellevernon's most important affairs. His manner is
quiet and unostentatious, but the most casual observer cannot
fail to be impressed, even after a short conversation, that Mr.
Jones is a man with a great reserve force and that he is a safe
adviser for any community.
ROBERT J. LINTON.
The first impression of the average man who may be introduced to Robert J. Linton is that he is a man of fixed purpose,
large ability, a safe adviser and a gentleman whose word in
every respect is equal to his bond.  First impressions are often
erroneous, but the people of Bellevernon unite in the agreement that Mr. Linton is just what he appears to be-a straight
forward man of affairs who can always be relied upon to do
anything that will aid in furthering the best interests of the
town. For over twenty years he has been in their midst, and
this testimony is the result of long experience and the intimate
knowledge that comes from close acquaintance.
Mr. Linton is a member of the firm of R. C. Schmertz 
Co., limited, glass manufacturers, and resides in one of the
most pleasant homes in the town.  INo man in the country has
more thoroughly mastered than he every detail of the mysteries
of glass making.  He knows every foot of the great factories
covering acres of ground, and no space is wasted.  Quick to
appreciate the real value of any new device, and prompt to
grasp all its benefits,- and to improve on them if improvement
is possible, it is not strange that he should rank among tie
most advanced manufacturers in the country, and one whose
counsel is always sought in important matters.  This being the
case, the declaration of Mr. Linton that he considers Bellevernon one of the best towns in which manufacturers canr locate
407The Old and Hew  lononogahela.
must have great weight. He is of the Scotch-Irish race and
one of its most sturdy representations.'In the prime of life
and full of vigor and kindliness, it is not presumptious to say
that he may reasonably expect to see the fulfillment of his
hopes for the town in which he takes so much pride.
THOMAS L. DALY.
A thorough and accomplished gentlemain, and a man who
enjoys the respect of all citizens is Captaiin Thomas L. Daly,
the general manager of the Gibsonton distillery.  Mr. Daly
was born in Philadelphia, September 19th, 1839, the sixth in
a family of eight children of Thomas and Mary (Marr) Daly.
His father and mother were natives of Dublin, Ireland, and
after coming to this country settled in Philadelphia, and in
April, 1857, was employed to come to Gibsonton to superintend
the erection of the Gibsonton mills.   Here he was joined by
the subject of this sketch, who came from Indianapolis, Ind.,
where he had been engaged in the extensive flouring mills
of William Winpenny  Co. At Gibsonton mills he has filled
one position after another since April, 1857, in these extensive
works. In July, 1873, he was appointed general manager,
which position he still holds. He is a large stockholder in the
Light and Heat Company, and thoroughly in earnest in anything he undertakes. As the manager of great enterprises,
Mr. Daly is the equal of any man in the country. Modest and
unassuming in his manner, his character is of the positive order
that always wins for its possessor a place in the front ranks.
His executive ability is unquestioned, and the ease with which
he controls the details of a business whose ramifications extend
to all parts of the world commands general admiration.
JOHN S. VAN VOORHIS, M. D.
A finished scholar, a cultured gentleman, a man of wide experience in the affairs of the world, and one of the most pronounced believers in the future of Bellevernon--that is John
S. Van Voorhis, M. D.  Dr. Van Voorhis in a sense was "to
408T7e Old and -New iMonongahela.
the manor born," having first seen the light May 8, 1823,
near Monongahela City, which is just a few miles distant from
Bellevernon, and having spent his whole life among our people. He graduated from Washington College September 25,
1844, and on March 25, 1847, took his degree at the Jefferson
Medical College. Locating in Bellevernon in May of the same
year, he has practiced his profession in this towin almost continuously ever since, the longest exception being a residence
of three years in Monongahela City.  Shortly after locating in
Belleverion Dr. Van Voorhis was married to Miss E. P.
Smith, an estimable lady, and his home has always been one
of the pleasantest in the town.
While devoted to his profession and ranking as one of its
most skillful members, Dr. Van Voorhis has found time to engage in many other important projects, all of which have
advanced the best interests of the Monongahela valley. He
was one of the earliest to advocate the construction of railroads
in the Monongahela valley, and with voice and pen labored
diligently in that direction. The efforts of few men have been
crowned with greater success. He was the organizer of the
Pittsburgh, Virginia  Charleston Railroad, Company, whose
road he has seen grow to be one of the most important branches
of the Pennsylvania system.   He also worked early and late
in th-e interests of the McKeesport  Bellevernon road; and in
recognition of his services and standing in the community, was
made chairman of the general committee on celebration, and
delivered the address of welcome when the road was opened
to Bellevernon.   In 1857 he represented Washington county
in the Legislature, and he has been an honored member of the
American Medical Association since 1872.  In 1885 he made
an extended tour through Europe.   His latest work, in addition to the practice of his profession, is the preparation of a
volume that will be devoted to the history and biography of
the Monongahela valley.   He enjoys the respect and esteem
of all classes, and has abounding faith in Bellevernon's future.
409410            Tlte Old aqnd New _oMnonygaela.
BELLEVERNON.
"All things come to him who waits. "
"Patience and perseverance overcometh all things.".
The two sayings that times without number have revived
hope in the hearts of hosts of earnest men and women, striving under apparently insurmountable obstacles to accomplish
great objects, have been proven true once more. The sturdy
people of Bellevernon, after generations of waiting, and after
long years of intelligent exercise of patience and perseverance, are on the eve of the realization of their fondly cherished
hopes for the future of the town.  On every hand signs are
abundant that the quiet which has been the characteristic of
the town, and which underthinking observers have mistaken
for indiffereince and lethargy, is to be shaken off, that the well
directed bustle that proclaims prosperity, is to fill its streets;
that the enterprising spirit of its people is to spread far and
wide; in a word, that Bellevernon is to have a boom.
That this is not idle speculation can easily be demonstrated.
To begin with, no locality in the country has been more highly
favored by Dame Nature.  Much wilder exaggeration passes
current as good sense than the statement that in the construction of things material extra pains mlust have been exercised
to make perfect the territory of which Bellevernon is the centre.
The beautiful Monongahela river, running in a straight line,
for miles along a bottom high enough for health, and wide
enough for the needs of a busy people, was the first element
of nature's kindness.  Picturesque hills rising in a gentle slope
from what has become the site of a busy town, and supporting
in their turn level fields of such an extent as to be equal to the
requirements of a great city, are another natural advantage.
When it is added that under everything, and easy of access,
are inexhaustible deposits of coal of the finest quality, sand for
manufacturing and building purposes, and stone enough to lay
the foundations of a state, there might be reason for saying:
" Nature has done enough; nothing is left for man but to rest
and be happy!"TAe Old and New iMonongahela.
Something of this spirit may have animated the people of
the Bellevernon of one day. But that was long ago. Man's
enterprise and ingenuity have added so much to Bellevernon's
advantages as a place for residence, and a site for great business operations, that if there were no other inducements these
would weigh for much.
During all time the energy that demonstrated the eligibility
of Bellevernon as a site for great enterprises must be given one
of the first places in the record of the notable accomplishments
in its history.  The first move was the establishment of a factory for the manufacture of glass.  It was at the time an
experiment, w lose success was in doubt, but that success has
been so great that it has carried the name of Bellevernon to
nearly every civilized country on the face of the globe.  Not
less important in its bearing on the future of the town was the
establishment of a distillery, which has grown to be the largest
of its class in the world.
The success of these enterprises proved that Bellevernon
had as good a right to look for greatness as any other locality.
But there was a long time to wait, and much patience and perseverance was called into play before the people were in condition, as they are to-day, to strike out for the realization of
their hopes.
First of all it became evident that the river, while an important factor in the prosperity of any community, did not afford
the rapid and certain means of communication with the balance
of the world that are necessary to keep up with the hurry of
the last quarter of the nineteenth century.  A railroad was
stretched along the opposite side of the river, due to the efforts
of Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis and others of our town.  It was an
aid to the growth of the town, but it failed to meet all requirements.  It was evident that Bellevernon must have a railroad
of its own. The town could not be moved to any point already
traversed by tracks, so the railroad had to be brought to Bellevernon. What this task involved-how often hope was deferred, and how gloriously it was finally realized, are subjects
4117The Old and New XiJonongahela.
of Carroll, who recall the old brick school house that stood
between Baird's and Beckett's, that we attended under the
tutilage of Mrs. Moses Arthurs, in the days when your honored
citizen, T. H. Baird, Esq., was the jolly skipper of the steamer
"Harlem," and the Hon. Geo. W. Lawrence was first taking
his seat in the legislative halls of Pennsylvania. Not so spacious nor so handsome in your eyes as this one-the old double
house where Captain R. F. Cooper led our bare feet over the
thorny paths of primary learning, and the academy by the river
where the gentle Morrison and Storer ruled up stairs and Mrs.
Noble's dog "held savage sway below." "We may build more
splendid habitations but we cannot buy with gold the old associations. "
Build your new school house of the brightest bricks, lay the
walls true and set angles square, adorn them with mullion
and pilaster and buttress, but they will lack the lettering of the
dear old names which made the walls of the double house and
the academy read like a muster roll.
Call the rolls of the old schools over and hear how the scattered responses come from every quarter of the globe. That
faithful historian, my beloved friend and brother, Dr. Van
Voorhis, who loves to garner precious memories and indite on
perpetual tablets the recollections of his native valley, gave in
the exercises of your dedication two years ago a roll of the
school boys, a few of whose names at least some of the "oldsters" here to-night will be glad to hear repeated.
"J. W. F. White," call that one softly, or peradventure a
tipstave will take you into custody for contempt of court.
White has gone from the wooden bench the Doctor mentions
to the bench of the Common Pleas Court of Allegheny County.
It is Judge White now.
"James Scott."  Hear it echo out in Ohio.  They hear of
inothing but the Scott law there.  " Jimn Scott was one of the
oldsters," as Frank, and Pat, and Orr, and John, and Mose,
and Joe, were of the youngsters of your speaker's day.  He
had his training under the vigilant eyes and the kind ailnd
36The Old and New Ilonongahela.
not to be discussed here.  Suffice it to say that the railroad
came to the town, and every day its good effects are felt by
all classes.
Before the railroad, though not before it was discussed, the
people of Bellevernon had natural gas. With an abundance
of coal under every foot of ground, it would not have been
surprising if the people of Bellevernon had left the discovery
of natural gas in their neighborhood to persons from other localities who needed it more. But by the time it was generally
understood that natural gas was far superior to coal as a fuel,
and long before many shrewd minds realized that fact, the
active men of Bellevernon concluded that what they needed
was natural gas.  They went to work with the spirit that has
characterized all their acts.  Discouragement and large and
apparently useless expenditure came first. But perseverance
seemed to be the motto of the town. The search was continued, and to-day Bellevernon is the center of the richest gas
producing territory in the world.  The wells are so near the
doors of the people that the best fuel ever given to man is supplied at nominal cost.  Natural gas was the last discovery
needed to make complete the preparations for the future of
Bellevernon.  It brought the railroad; it has stimulated energy
in every direction.
Without detail the reasons have been given for the faith of
the people of Bellevernon, in proclaiming to the world the belief that they offer better advantages than any other locality to
capitalists of all classes, to come to them and help make Bellevernon a great manufacturing center.  Summarized these advantages are:
Natural gas.
Railroad and river outlets.
Coal of the best quality.
Sand and limestone in abundance.
A locality whose eligibility has been demonstrated by successful capitalists.
A  community whose members can  be relied  upon  to
412The Old and New Monongahela.
actively aid any enterprise calculated to promote the general
prosperity.
Added to all these, and reserved to the last because it is one
of the greatest, is the offer made of free sites for manufactories to capitalists who will locate in Bellevernon.
"Bellevernon may be a city some day," was the remark we
were accustomed to hear from enthusiasts in the old days.
"Bellevernon shall be a city," is the expression and intention of its people to-day.
The two greatest events in the recent history of Bellevernon
were the discovery and introduction of natural gas and the
construction of the McKeesport and Bellevernon railroad.
The story of the long search for and final location of the
richest natural gas field in the world is given on another page.
It is proper that the advent of the railroad should be recorded
here.
A direct railroad connection with the outside world was the
dream of the people of Bellevernon for forty years. That it
was not realized until the 10th of October, 1889, was no fault
of the people of Bellevernon and other towns along the east
shore of the Monongahela.  Thirty years before an attempt
was made to secure a railroad, and at various times after that
the effort was renewed.  Hopes ran high when in 1881 the
East Shore Railroad Company was incorporated under the
auspices of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Company,
but the charter expired without any work being done.
In 1886 the McKeesport and Bellevernon Railroad Company
was chartered, and in December, 1887, the work of building
a line from Reynoldton, opposite McKeesport, to Bellevernon
was begun. Owing to successive troubles over rights of way,
but eleven miles of the road was completed up to April, 1889.
Between that date and the 7th of October, 1889, seventeen
miles were added, and on the memorable Monday, the 7th of
October, the last spike was driven. The road was formally
opened on the 10th of October with a celebration at Bellevernon that will be remembered as long as the youngest person
413Tli  Old and New iVonongahela.
present that day lives, and long afterward. Hundreds were
present from points in the neighborhood, and distinguished
guests came from a distance. Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis was
master of ceremonies for the day, and the exercises consisted
of speeches by residents of the town, officials of the railroad
company and other distinguised visitors, and a grand banquet.
The people thought they had occasion to rejoice and everybody
joined in.  There was particular reason for joy, because three
of the foremost promoters of the railroad were Bellevernon
men-Messrs. S. F. Jones, T. L. Daly and R. J. Lintonand all of the leading men of the town had given their time,
energy and money to the successful prosecution of the work.
Five passenger trains and a large number of freight trains
are running over the road daily now, thus affording rapid,
direct and cheap communications with east and west through
Pittsburgh.  The ability of Bellevernon and the east shore of
the Monongahela generally to support a railroad has been demonstrated, and it is only a question of a short time until the
road is extended to Brownsville or some point more distant.
The capital stock of the company was $600,000, and over
$1.000,000 was expended in the construction of the road. The
officials at the date of the opening were: President, Jacob
Wainwright; Secretary and Treasurer, W. T. Wallace; Directors, S. F. Jones, R. J. Linton, J. M. Guffey, C. H. Sackrader, P. H. Green, B. L. Wood, Jr., and J. Chamberlain.
The road is now operated by the P.  L. E. R. R. Co.
The Bellevernon of to-day, to state the case briefly, is one
of the most prosperous towns and pleasantest places to live or do
business in the United States. With a river that is always
navigable by reason of the improvements of the Monongahela
Navigation Company flowing past its doors; with two railroads
affording direct communication-with all parts of the country;
with an inexhaustible supply of natural gas; with coal of the
finest quality underlying every foot of ground; with sand and
limestone to be had for the quarrying-with all these advantages, what community could be more richly endowed, and
414iThe Old and New Xoononyahela.
what town has a better right to raise its voice and stretch out
its hand and invite men with money to come and help build a
city. This can be done with better grace, than by the residents of many other towns for a reason not given alone. The
foresight of such citizens as R. J. Linton, S. F. Jones and
Thomas L. Daly has secured to the business men of Bellevernon, a boon which every business man will appreciate, and
which entitles the gentlemen named to the gratitude of all the
people of Bellevernon.
By the terms under which the McKeesport  Bellevernon
Railroad obtained admittance to the town, shippers are guaranteed a freight rate even to that charged shippers in Pittsburgh
and other terminal points.   The same condition prevails with
regard to freight received into the town.  The advantage of
this will be apparent to everybody when it is stated that the
growth of hundreds of towns throughout the country is retarded
by freight discrimination-that is, the charging of excessive
rates on freight from the time it leaves the main systbm of the
railroad.  ln more than one case within the knowledge of the
writer, the freight rates imposed on the shippers in towns
situated as Bellevernon is, have been greater for less than 20
miles than those charged shippers in the main line for a distance
of 150 miles.   What this means any business man call calculate for himself.  It answers the one argument that foreign
capitalists might urge against investing in this town. When
they verify the statements concerning freight rates, as they
can easily upon application to the proper officials, they will
ascertain that with plants located at Bellevernon they will have
the same advantages with regard to freight rates as are enjoyed
by the largest shippers at the most important terminals.
Enterprise seems to be the chief characteristics of the people of Bellevernon.
The Gibsonton distillery from the small beginning of 1854
has grown to be the largest pure rye whiskey distillery in the
world. The plant covers ten acres of ground, and the daily
capacity of the concern is from 4,000 to 4,200 gallons. From
415The Old and New Jlonongahela.
48,000 to 50,000 barrels of whiskey are permanently stored in
the great bonded warehouse of the firm, and from 2,000 to
3,000 barrels are stored in the free warehouses subject to the
order of customers. The keeping up of this great stock is
necessary because the average yearly demand for the product
of the distillery is from 15,000 to 16,000 barrels, and the proprietors adhere rigorously to the old idea that whiskey is not
fit for consumption before it is at least three years old.  That,
perhaps more largely than any other circumstance, is responsible for the fact that Gibson's whiskey is a prime favorite every
where.  In addition to being the largest distillery of its class,
the Gibsonton concern is one of the most perfectly appointed.
The barrels in which the product of the still are stored are
made on the ground; all the grain grown in the surrounding
country is utilized, and the employes, many of them in the
service of the proprietors for more than twenty years, are
sober, intelligent men of family and good citizens in every
respect. This high standard of excellence in all departments
is very largely due to Captain Thomas L. Daly. 6
The Glass Works, which many years ago became the property
of R. C. Schmertz  Co., have also a distinction that is claimed
by no other factory in the country.  It has produced the largest
sheets of window glass manufactured in the United States.
The establishment, which is in every respect a model, is under
the management of Robert J. Linton, than whom no man is
more deeply interested in everything that concerns Bellevernon's welfare and prosperity.
Next most prominent in the industrial field is the plant of
the Bellevernon Saw and Planing Mill Company, which operates
an extensive planing mill and boat yard.  Under the energetic
management of Samuel Jones this concern has achieved an
- excellent reputation and is doing a large business.
The banking house of S. F. Jones  Co. is another of the
prominent features of the town.  Mr. S. F. Jones is president
and gives his personal attention to the management of its business.  This is the best guarantee that could be given of the
416The Old and New  lonongahela.
solidity of the concern, and it is a matter of common consent
that the bank is as stable as the United States Treasury.
Another institution of which the people of Bellevernon are
proud is the foundry.   This concern manufactures stoves and
ranges in large numbers.  Those known as the " Torchlight"
and "Coal Valley" stoves and the "Braddock " ranges are
unexcelled by the product of any other stove foundry in the
country.   The proprietor, Mr. Amon Bronson, is a self-made
man, and is one of the "fixtures " of the town.
The people of Bellevernon never have occasion to go away
from home for good flour. John McClain has a large mill and
has a reputation as a miller that is second to none.
As a contractor and builder, C. R. Corwin ranks among the
first in any locality.
It is impossible within the limits prescribed for this article to
go into details concerning all the business enterprises of the
town.  It must suffice to say that they embrace every class;
that Bellevernon has as good stores as any town of its size
anywhere; that its merchants are wide awake and accommodating, and that there is nothing that is necessary for the comfort or happiness of any person that cannot be found in the
town.
One more feature of the enterprise of our people deserves
especial mention however. That is that the go-ahead spirit is
not confined to any class.  This will be evident to any person
who spends a day in the town, from the bustle in the stores;
the thrifty appearance of everybody met on the streets; the
number of new buildings in course of erection, and the improvements on old buildings that have beeni made and are in
progress. In a word, everybody is awake and they want the
outside world to know it.
Independent of its facilities as a business location, Bellevernon is one of the best places in the country in which a man can
live with his family. Its beautiful location has been described.
When to this is added the fact that rents are low, that lots can
be purchased for little money, and that fuel costs almost noth417The Old and New Jionongahela.
ing, there is little to be desired.  But these are not half the
advantages Bellevernon offers. It has excellent schools and a
fine school building; four churches, representing the Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and Disciples' denominations; the
people are sociable and refined, and have fewer vices than are
usual among a population made up of so many diverse elements.
Another matter that counts for a great deal is the fact that
very generally the workmen of the town own the homes in
which they live.   As a consequence, the poor man is equally
alive with the rich man to the necessity of doing everything
possible to advance the best interests of the town and all its
people.
Our people know all this, and much more which their
modesty deters them from exploiting, to be true.  They invite
outsiders to come and see for themselves, satisfied that the
town and its inhabitants will be benefited by the closest
inspection.
AN ADDRESS.
An Address of Welcome Delivered by J. S. Van Voorliis, October 10, 1889,
at the Opening of the McKeesport and Bellevernon Railroad to Bellevernon, Pa.
Messrs. President, Board of Directors of the McKeesport
and Bellevernon Railroad Company, Citizens and Str:angers
Within Our Gates:
The spirits of four generations look down upon the event of
this day and beckon us to give you a hearty welcome.
To-day we realize a forty years' dream overshadowed by
your presence in celebrating the crowned efforts of science and
labor. This is the dawn of the day when our valley will take
a proud position in the great railroad highway from the rising
to the settiilg sun.  In the name of the fathers who sleep beneath the sod, and in the spirit of all that is dear to the preseiit,
we bid you partake of our hospitality.  The importance of a
full development of the resources of the Monongahela valley
has at last been appreciated.  Skill, capital, wisdom, foresight
418The Old and Xew Monongahela.
and individual energy has completed a railroad to this point on
the east shore of our beautiful river.  For long years we have
been using our efforts, in divers ways, to iilduce the opening up
of the valley by means of railroads. The river has long been an
efficient agent in giving life and wealth to the valley, but the
demands of progress are such that water transportation cannot
satisfy the increasing trade.  The spirit of the age requires
rapid transit and quick returns.  Our side of the river to-dav
can boast of such facilities as we have been dreaming of for
nearly three score years; and perhaps but for the industry,
energy and business shrewdness of Wainwright, to-day might
have found us " waiting still for something to turn up."  God
bless such a man and may his shadow never grow less.
Sixty years ago the building of railroads was a mere experiment in this country, with a population of 12,000,000. Today 156,000 miles of railroad traverse our country from ocean
to ocean and from the lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, with a population of 60,000,000.  Sixty years ago the wealth of our
country was $1,000,000,000; to-day it over reaches $56,000,000,000.  The railroads of this country, in 1888, carried 475,000,000 of passengers and 600,000,000 tons of freight. The
railroads of the United States employ 1,000,000 workmen.
They have 30,000 locomotives, 21,000 passenger cars, 7,000
baggage cars and 1,000,000 freight cars. The capital invested
exceeds $8,000,000,000 and over $600,000,000 are paid annually for labor and supplies.
The first attempt at building a railroad from any point in the
valley of the Monongahela was made by the Baltimore  Ohio
Company in 1829. The surveys were made under the supervision of.Jonathan Knight, at that time chief engineer of the
company.  He ranked among the most distinguished civil engineers of this or any other country. This survey was principally made with the view of a direct line to Wheeling with the
contingency of a branch to Pittsburgh.  On the completion of
the B.  O. railroad to Cumberland in 1844 the citizens of
Pittsburgh and the valley generally were opposed to the pro4192The Old and New Monongahela.
-ject and the Pennsylvania Legislature refused to grant the
right of way for the company to pass along the valley, and the
result was the building of their road through the mountains of
West Va. The opposition in Pittsburgh arose from a visionary fear of a foreign company interfering with the projected
Pennsylvania R. R., and the farmers of Fayette and Washington counties opposed it'because it would destroy the trade of
the national pike.  The national pike to-day is, in many places,
overgrown with weeds and grass, but the farms are worth four
times as much.  Such is progress.  The first survey of a railroad along the river from Brownsville to Pittsburgh was made
in 1835, on the west side, under the direction of the Hon. B.
H. Latrobe.  He estimated at that time the cost at $27,662.22
per mile. Pittsburgh long since repented of her unwise action,
and in after years made herculean efforts to secure competing
lines to and from the city.  Railroads have made that city
what she is to-day and what we expect to make our valleywhat she ought to be.
The Hempfield railroad was another abortive effort to aid in
the developement of the valley.  It was incorporated by an
act of the Legislature May 15th, 1850.  Its original intention
was to construct a railroad from Greensburg, in Westmoreland
county, to Wheeling, in West Virgiuia.  After being completed to Washington, the remaining portion was abandoned,
although an immense amount of money had been expended.
Its franchises are the property of tbe B.  O. Company.  Its
chief engineer, Charles Ellet, Jr., was an extravagant, though
in the main a successful builder of railroads, but in this scheme
he failed for want of funds, in addition to a strong outside
pressure of opposing elements. About the time the Hempfield
was being constructed at the western enld, the Central Ohio,
from Wheeling to Newark, Ohio, was under contract, and it
was the intention of the Hempfield Company to obtain a controlling interest in this road so as to have a continuous line
from Philadelphia westward; but by a sharp manouvre, the
Baltimore  Ohio purchased the Ohio Central so as to give
420The Old and New Jlonongahela.
their main railroad a western connection.  The Pennsylvania
Railroad Company, thus foiled in the attempt to push their
westward idea by way of the Hempfield, abandoned its interest
in this latter project and purchased the bankrupt Pittsburgh
 Steubenville Company's franchise, which gave it in the end
by what is now called the "Pan-Handle, " a route to the west.
The Hempfield was finally sold to the Baltimore  Ohio
Company.
During the progress of the survey of the location of the
Hempfield, a petition was presented by the citizens of Bellevernon, and others, to Hon. T. M. T. M'Kennan, President,
asking an examination of the route by way of the north branch
of Pigeon Creek and south branch of Maple Creek, in Washington County, crossing the Monongahela river at Bellevernon,
and thence by way of Smith's mill, on the Youghiogheny
river, to Greensburg.  During the summer of 1852 Mr.
M'Kennan visited Bellevernon and made a speech from the
steps of the residence of Soloman Speers, now the Roley
House, in which he portrayed the advantage of the proposed
railroad and pledged himself to an examination of the route,
~which was done, though in a very hasty manner, and rejected
on account of its greater distance. The Ohio and Baltimore
Short line R. R. Co. was organized in February, 1872. This
charter was obtained for the purpose of extending that part of
the Hempfield completed by way of Bellevernon to Dawson
station on the B.  O. R. R., formerly known as the Pittsburgh and Connellsville railroad. The object was to secure anl
outlet west to this latter road, which had been refused by way
of Pittsburgh.
Work on this extension was commenced in December, 1873,
and prosecuted with vigor at the heavy grading at Bellevernon
and Bentleysville, but in May, 1874, work was suspended for
reasons which were never satisfactorily explained to the outside world. This charter was allowed to lapse, but May 5,
1881, a new organization under the same name was effecte,
with a change of route from Washington via Coal Centre to a
29
421The Old and New Moonongahela.
generous ministrations of the lamented Hazzard.  He studied
medicine and moved to Ohio, where no outsider can succeed,
except a few from Washington county with the pith and fibre
of these hills in their physique. He was elected to the legislature, represented his country at Honolulu for a term, came
back, was again elected to the legislature, and is now famous
as the author of the new law to tax the liquor traffic in that
State. Coming from so healthy a community as this, it is wonderful how the boys who have gone out from these schools
have ran to physic.
"A. J. Davis," of old Carroll stock, is a practicing physician in the community in which I teach.
"J. C. Cooper."  He has for years been toning up the
vital organs and regulating the digestion of a large circle of
clients in Philadelphia.
" M. P. Morrison."  The children of his schoolmates have
been making wry faces at his rhubarb and jalap here in Monongahela for thirty years.
" W. H. King, " there is no answer from his lips.  He sleeps
in the cemetery, but his name is famous among the foremost
surgeons of Western Pennsylvania.
"Jas. M. H. Gordon," a physician and a soldier, has of
late gone down to rest, and the glistening night dew now weeps
o'er his churchyard pillow. Of our personal friends and playmates of a later generation, there is Cyrus King winning a
name and competency in Allegheny City. George Linn, prosperous and domiciled under the very shadow of the hills over
which we together loved to roam, and Thomas T. Williams,
doctoring Democrats at White Cottage in the County of
Greene.  But I will not weary you by going over all the names
that come thronging to my tongue. It would be but to tell you
where your fathers and your uncles are. The boys of the past
are the men of the present. They have rolled down their
pantaloons and wear shoes now all the year round. We cannot claim them as'boys now, but they have given us no reason
to blush for them as men. They have done honor to their
honest breeding; some in the physician's office, some in the
37  Th/e Old and New Xoionoingahela.
point above Connellsville on the Baltimore  Ohio Railroad
instead of Dawson station. Work was promptly commenced
and pushed with vigor as though it was intended to be speedily
finished. Heavy grading, tunnels, c., were being worked
with large forces of men; the stone work of the bridge at
Greenfield, now oal Centre, was ready for the superstructure,
when lo! suspension all along the line was ordered and so remains to this day.  Four attempts had thus been made to construct a railroad across the counties of Fayette and Washington. This last abandonment seems to have been occasioned
by the fact that the B.  O. road had secured a western route
from Pittsburgh via Streets Run and Washington. The first
direct movement to construct a railroad up the valley on the
east side of the river was during the session of the Legislature
in 1864. A bill was prepared and sent to the late Hon. R. R.
Reed, then a member of the House from Washington county.
This bill was intended to give the Pittsburgh  Connellsville
R. R. Co. authority to construct a branch road up the Monongahela river.  In after years, however, the good policy of the
project was duly appreciated by the B.  O. Railroad Company, but it was too late. It was one of the many mistakes of
the officers of that.company.
During the session of 1865 we sent a bill to the late Hon.
T. J. Bingham, a senator from Allegheny county, incorporating
the Monongahela Valley Railroad Company, which was allowed
to have a peaceful rest among the archives of the Senlate.  In
1866 a bill was carefully prepared and sent to the late Joseph
B. Welsh, a member of the House from Washington county.
He seemed to take hold of the matter in the true spirit, and
succeeded finally in having it passed through the House, just
in time to have it die under the rules in the Senate.   By request, on the 8th of January, 1867, Col. T. B. Searight, a
senator from Fayette, read a bill in place which contained all
the provisions desired by its friends, but merely read it in
place without any further attention. It was carefully preserved
from the Senate in the committee.  In 1867, Mr. Day, of
422The Old and New llMonongacela.         423
Washington, had the bill of 1866 so remodeled as to satisfy
its friends as well as enemies, and so had it passed, which was
approved by the governor April 8th, 1867.  During the summer of 1867 your speaker agitated the organization of the
company. The first meeting of the corporators was held at the
Monongahela House, in Pittsburgh, and adjourned to meet at
Elizabeth, June 7th, 1867. This meeting was largely attended
and a progressive spirit manifested. Many capitalists and other
business men were present. Meetings were subsequently held
in Monongahela City, Fayette City, Brownsville, West
Brownsville, Carmichaels, Finleyville and Library.
The act of Assembly fixed the capital at $20,000 per mile,
and 10 per cent. of said stock was required to be subscribed
and 10 per cent. on the subscription to be paid in before Letters Patent could be granted.  The distance was computed
by the river from Pittsburgh to Waynesburg.- In order to
shorten the distance and thereby reduce the amount to be subscribed, it was suggested that a supplement to the act should
be obtained, allowing the road to be located on any route from
Pittsburgh to Monongahela City, and thence along either side
of the river to a point at or near Rice's Landing. The bill
was in charge of Mr. Day, of Washington, who forced it to its
final passage against the eloquence of Mr. Playford, of Fayette. This act gave new life to the project and the survey was
completed in the spring of 1869.  By the act of February,
1870, the name of the Monongahela Valley Railway Company was changed to that of Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston Railway Company.  In the spring of 1870, operations in
the building were commenced, and in 1873 the railroad completed and in full operation to Monongahela City.  In May,
1881, the railroad was completed to West Brownsville. In
August, 1882, the Redstone branch from West Brownsville to
Uniontown was finished. In May, 1879, the road and its
franchises passed to the control of the Pennsylvania R. R. Co.
and is now operated as one of its lines.
By the Act of Assembly approved April 14, 1870, the PittsThe Old and Hew Monongahela.
burgh  Virginia R. R, was incorporated and partially organized.  Its object was anlother effort toward opening up the resources of the east side of the Monongahela river by a railroad.
Like former similar attempts this proved a failure. It was
expected that the B.  O. Co. would take hold of such an
enterprise and insure its success.
The characteristic timidity and short-sightedness of that company again failed to realize what a bright future awaited such
an enterprise.
In December, 1870, the Bellevernon branch of the Pittsburgh
and Connellsville railroad was chartered by the courts of Westmoreland county. The object of this company was to build a
railroad from the lower end of Main street in Bellevernon to a
point on the Pittsburgh and Connellsville railroad at Amieville,
not far below the mouth of Sewickley creek. L. C. Baldwin,
superintendent of the Gibsonton mills was the president, and
among the managers were S. F. Jones, John Rankin, N. Q.
Speer and Hortensius Lowry. The prospects for its construction were, apparently, very bright; large subscriptions of stock
were readily obtained and the right of way generally secured
when, for some, not generally known, cause, the company
went into court and obtained authority to dissolve the corporation, which was promptly done, the stockholders being refunded
their ten per cent. minus expenses incurred.  This was another
mistake.
In August, 1881, the East Shore Railroad Company was
organized under the auspices of the Pittsburgh  Lake Erie
Company.   Surveys were made and considerable of a stir
made along the river, but the charter was allowed to expire by
limitation.   However, about this time a new spirit seemed to
have taken hold, even of some of the minds connected with
the East Shore enterprise.  Mr. Wainwright, who had constructed the Pittsburgh, McKeesport  Youghiogheny Railroad
along a route on the Youghiogheny river, where no ordinary
genius would have dreamed of a road, had the boldness, the
shrewdness and the talent to not only resuscitate the project,
424The Old and New JMonongahela.
but to carry it out in so successful a manner as to elicit the applause and congratulations of not only the people of the valley,
but business men both east and west.
Napoleon, when he proposed to march his army into Italy,
was told that "the Alps were in his way."  He replied, "I
will show to the world that there are no Alps."  He built the
Simplon road.  So Wainwright, when confronted with the
heretofore almost hopeless task of building a railroad on the
east shore of the Monongahela, was able to say that " railroads
can be constructed where everything else fears to tread-,save
genius.,' The road, as it now stands, is a monument to his
genius more enduring than marble, for it is written in the hearts
of his fellow citizens; and when the great railroad system of
which we have written, and whose birth to-day we celebrate,
shall have extended from the great chain of lakes in the north
to the burning sands of the Atlantic, his name, with that of
Vanderbilt, will be applauded, and generations yet unborn will
rise up and call him blessed.
To-day our valley puts on a new verdure; to-day the East
Shore has its gates open to the outside world; to-day our village of seventy years growth will stand erect with her sister
towns on the west side; to-day the unmeasured wealth of the
West Virginia hills are within our grasp; to-day a new page is
written in our history.
In a short'time, no doubt, the McKeesport and Bellevernon
railroad will be extended to connections in the south. This
company was quietly organized solely for the purpose of building it, and we see it is a reality to-day. Wainwright is president of the company. Very recently Vanderbilt has purchased
a large interest in the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad which
foreshadows, at no distant day, connection with that road by
Wainwright. The upper Monongahela Valley has long been
neglected, but to-day the progress of this new railroad enterprise shows that it is reaching for something heretofore hidden.
We long ago predicted that a railroad would be built on each
shore of the Monongahela, and the realization of the prophecy
425YThe Old and -New Monongahela.
is only a matter of a short time. For years we have been trying to convince the people that every mile of railroad along
this valley would pay its own dividend. Already can be noted
new life on the east shore.
New towns and new enterprises are bound to spring into existence on almost every mile of this road. The trade is here
now and will continue to grow. The people along this new
road have already cast aside their slow motion style and now
bestir themselves in the true double quick. Already land along
the line has quadrupled in many places in price, and inquiries
are being almost daily made for sites favorable to mnanufacturing interests.  Our great gas field is sufficient to furnish fuel
for all who will invest their capital. On the extension of this
new railroad to the sources of the Monongahela, a new coal
field of three hundred square miles will be within the reach of
the consumer, and within the present generation a thousand
furnaces will light up our valley, furnishing to the laborer a
never ending employment, and to capitalists a rich reward for
their investment.
[From the Bellevernon Enterprise.l
AN OPENING OPENED, AND A BIG DAY OF CELEBRATION.
The marriage has taken place, the reception is over, and the
10th of October will long remain in the minds of the many who
witnessed the celebration of Bellevernon being joined to the
outer world by the bonds of the iron horse. The preparations
for the occasion were ample and truly the union was celebrated
appropriately.
Promptly at 7 A. M. the special left our depot for McKeesport to meet the guests coming from Pittsburgh and other
points. The train was gaily decorated with the national colors,
of which all are so grandly proud, and as she pulled out the
whistle at the mill and gas regulator greeted her with extra
toots. No wonder Sam Jones blowed the whistle so loud on
her return, either.  People canle to town in almost every con426The Old and New Xonongahela.
ceivable way and by the time the special train returned the
staid old village was one tumultuous throng.  Banners of
"Welcome" were hung from the house tops and never in our
time was there so much genuine enthusiasm. Everybody was
happy and thus added to the enjoyment of " our guests."
Never in the history of this thriving settlement has such an
important occasion enthused its citizens.   The advent of natural gas was a cause for great rejoicings-it was the harbinger
of great things-but now that the "iron horse " is here the
place was wild with enthusiasm.
The gaily decorated train carrying the Pittsburgh visitors
arrived at McKeesport at 9.30.   At Reynoldton Junction the
members of the Bellevernon committee with the Bellevernon
cornet band and G. A. R. drum corps, met the visitors.
The train reached Gibsonton, a suburb of Bellevernon, at
11.  Here the train was met by several hundred citizens,
whose cheers and huzzas welcomed them to the region of king
gas and coal. The conclusion of a lively selection by the band
was the signal for a demonstration, and for a period of time,
during which the train proceeded from Gibsonton to Bellevernon, the booming of cannon, the toot! toot of whistles, the
escape of gas and the cheers of the people combined, was an
excellent imitation of pandemonium.
At Bellevernon the visitors were received by Chief Marshal
Samuel McKean and staff, and a procession was soon formed
with the officers of the road and distinguished men in the van,
which the band led to the speakers' stand on Main street.
Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis delivered the address of welcome.
President J. Wainright, of the McKeesport and Bellevernon railroad, responded to the address of welcome. Mr.
Wainright said in substance: The manner of greeting by the
people of Bellevernon is thankfully received by the directory
of the road, and being no speaker himself, he would have to
be excused from a formal address. He was reminded of an
incident that occurred a few weeks' since between a farmer
below our town and himself. The farmer required a good deal
427The Old and New WMonongahela.
of persuasion before being convinced of the propriety of giving the right of way to the road passing over his farm, but
finally consented.
The next day on meeting a neighbor he remarked that the
man Wainwright last night had talked him into giving the right
of way, and if he had stayed all night with me he would have
gotten my whole farm.  I am called sometimes the Right of
Way Wainwright.  From the tenor of the doctor's speech he
would have been a good talkiing right of way man. We are
doing the best we can to furnish the east with short railroad
facilities, and we are glad to see that our efforts are appreciated
by the citizens of the Valley. We again thank you for your
greetings.
Hon. Geo. V. Lawrence, of Monongahela City; Judge
Hunter, of Westmoreland county; Judge Ewing, of Fayette
county, and State Senator Robbins, of Greensburg, all praised
the man who had the head and heart to open the east shore railr9ad, as well as to thank the people of Bellevernon for their
grand demonstration.  Letters of regret were read from
prominent men who were unable to be present.
The banquet prepared at the Roley House was one'of the
affairs of the day, and judging from the smiling visages of those
who partook of the hospitality of Mr. Roley, it was a great
success.
After dinner the visitors spent a few hours strolling around
looking at our immense glass factory, gas system and wells, as
well as taking in a short trip to Gibsonton distillery, which is
one of the largest in the country.
When the time came for the departure of the special, many
were loth to leave their late made friends, yet with promises
of a return visit " some day," good byes were said and a day
of pleasure was about closed.
Among the Pittsburgh visitors who attended the opening
were: J. S. Scully, R. H. Smith, George B. Hill, John Swan,
W. W. McCreary, Max K. Moorhead, W. W. Patrick, Capt.
T. Fawcett, Alexander Dempster, Benjamin Elwood, T. E.
428Tike Old and New Mono~ngahela.
Umstaetter, Charles R. Meyran, Capt. Horner, Samuel Dilworth, W. R. Holmes and Dr. J. B. Murdock.
The railroad officials were:  D. P. Corwin, secretary Pittsburgh, Virginia  Charleston; F. A. Dean, general freight
agent Pittsburgh  Lake Erie; F. G. Bailey, W. G. Taggart,
F. H. Kennedy, George McCague, of the Lake Shore  Michigan Southern, M. E. Valiant, T. W. Galleher, division freight
agent of the Baltimore  Ohio, and J. W. Wainwright, J. H.
Drake, O. A. Rogers and W. T. Wallace, of the McKeesport
 Bellevernon Railroad.
From McKeesport: J. B. Shale, E. P. Douglass, attorney
of the road; A. B. Campbell, J. L. Devenney, editor News;
Dr. White and others.
Elizabeth: J. Speer, comptroller of Allegheny county;
Wm. Walker, Attorney J. B. Patterson, Dr. Charles Shaffer,
Dr. Van Kirk, Dick Wiley, editor Iherald; Geo. Roberts, Jr.,
Gen. Pass. Agent J. C. Grooms.
Monongahela City: Capt. T. H. Williams, W. J. Alexander, C. G. McIlvaine, Jos. A. Herron, E. Downer, Postmaster James Moore, John S. Markle, John Van Voorhis, J. B.
Finley, Isaac Yohe, Jr., James Yohe, Moses Scott, B. F.
Bentley, Hon. G. V. Lawrence, W. H. Smith, John Swichard,
Frank Hendrickson and others.
Uniontown was represented by Judge Ewing, Geo. D.
Howell, R. F. Hopwood, Wm. G. Guiler. A. F. Cooper, O. G.
Chick, Geo. A. McCormick, L. H. Frazier, Editor Cook, John
D. Carr, R. P. Kennedy, Editor Scott, of the News; Doll
Johns, and others whom we did not meet.
Personal mention cannot be made of all the reporters and
editors who favored us with a call, because they invaded our
sanctum and office in such numbers that we could not remember names or faces, but were glad that so many came, and are
sure that our city friends will now know how Bellevernon is
situated geographically.
The banquet in Taggert's hall wound up the appropriate celebrationi, and in the morning the trains carried away the last
of our guests of a great day.
4294The Old and New Monongahela.
Letters of regret were received from Thos. M. Bayne. E. A.
Montooth, John Dalzell, A. A. Wallace, S. D. Warmcastle,
President Harrison, M. S. Quay, J. G. Blaine, John H.
Hampton and Isaac S. Van Voorhis.
NATHANIEL EvERsON
AND MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Nathaniel Everson, father of Mrs. Louisa Taggart, came
from Chester county, was married in Baltimore, came to Pittsburgh first then to the old log house on Jesse Reeve's farm
near Rostraver coal works above the house long occupied by
Levi Harris.   Old Joseph Johnson lived and died in the old
house about forty years ago. Nathaniel Everson moved into
the old house that stood on the site of the Presbyterian church,
corner of Main and First streets, Bellevernon.  In this house,
in 1816, Mrs. L. Taggart was born. Nathaniel, some years
subsequently, built and moved into the house which still stands
on corner of Locust and Long alley, long known as the Granny
Taggart house.
The first fire in the town happened in this house, and in this
way: Henry Doyle had married Harriet Everson, October
29th, 1820, and in due course of time the first born appeared
on the stage of life, and as was the custom, many of the
female inhabitants were invited to give honor to the occasion, among whom were Aunt Rutan, Polly Corwin, Katy
Ward, Hannah Gaskill and Mary Hornbeck; but to add further
zest to the occasion, the father, Henry Doyle, in the evening
invited as his guests Morris Corwin, Budd Gaskill, Billy Hornbeck and Thomas Ward. In the midst of the festivities, Doyle
thought of the barrel of good old rye he had stored away in
the loft.   With the primitive lamp made of tin, a wick
and grease in hand he hied away to the secret place for a
pitcher full of the desired fluid. As the spirits flowed freely
from the spigot, he thought it would be a good chance to
taste it in advance of his guests. - So he stooped to catch it.as
430The Old and New M-onongahela.
it ran, but in so doing the lamp came in contact with the gas
from the liquor, and way went the barrel up and through the
roof, setting fire to everything in the loft, and the spilled
whiskey pouring on to the open floor passed down in a blaze to
the room where the mother and new born babe were in bed.
The bed with its living contents was hurriedly taken to the
kitchen, and all hands got to work to put out the fire.
The next fire was in 1856, in the cabinet shop of Apollos
Speers, where now is the rear part of J. S. Henry, Jr.'s store.
The next fire was January 31, 1875, by which the house below Strawberry alley on Main street, occupied by Henry Haler,
was consumed, together with the store room in which was the
store of Cunningham  Craft, and the second story which was
occupied by the Odd Fellows and other orders. The dwelling
house in which Rev. A. B. Lowes resided and the dwelling of
3as. H. Lewis, made a narrow escape from being burned. The
great fire of the town occurred February 28, 1880, by which
was destroyed the saw mill and nearly every building on the
square bounded by Main, Third, Water streets and Strawberry
alley.
On the night of February 24, 1886, a fire consumed the
dwelling and drug store room of Henry Lang, together with
what was known as Kyle's row, all situated on State Road near
Main street.
The first tavern in town was kept by Billy Hornbeck in the
house now owned by A. L. Brown whilst it stood on the corner
of Main street and Cherry alley. He was succeeded by Abe
Bugher, after he married Mrs. Darr, who kept the first cake
shop in town, in the old part of the Lanehart house as it was
built by Geo. Hazelbaker, the hatter, who had his hat shop in
it at first, but afterwards as the firm of Hazelbaker  Dunlevy, he carried on the making of hats in the house on Water
street, near what is now known as the Bull Run bridge. This
house was built for John Springer by his father, Daniel
Springer, about the year 1830.  Geo. Kintner built the house
now owned by Mrs. Eliza Smock. Kintner's wife was Polly
Everson, sister of Mrs. L. Taggart.
431The Old and New ionongahela.
counting room, some in the courts and many in the pulpit, for the
schools of Monongahela city have given to the ministry some
of the grandest, the noblest men that ever went out under the
white banner of the son of God.
But there are those of my school fellows here to-night who
have not preached, nor stirred the mystic potion in the iEsculapian chaldron and who may have plead in youth at other
"Bars" than those of justice, who have yet acted well their
part in this town of yours, to whom I give my warmest salutation.  I may not name them, but you will recognize them as
your foremost citizens, sitting at your Council Boards, and
directors of your schools.  They have given their best energies to the enhancement of the wealth and resources of their
native town, have reared churches in amends for youthful
irreverency and built school houses in expiation of their designs
on those they may once have wished to burn. Very many of
the old boys of the advanced class are gone:  violets blossom
now above the graves of the old masters.  The old directors
are dust. Pardon me if I have dwelt at wearisome length on
these men of earlier days.  It seemed to me that they should
have a share in the words spoken here to-night.
"Not to the living only be it said,
But to the other living called the dead,
Whose dear paternal images appear
Not wrapped in gloom, but robed in sunshine here;
Whose simple lives, complete and without flaw'
Were part and parcel of great nature's law.
Who said not to their Lord, as if afraid,'Here is thy talent in a napkin laid,'
But labored in their sphere as men who live
On the delight that work alone can give.
Peace be to them; eternal peace and rest,
And the fulfillment of the great behest:' Ye have been faithful over a few things,
Over ten citiies shall ye reign as kings.' "
It was their lot to strike the axe inlto the edge of the wilderness, to pass along the way of life when ignorance sat at every
gate, a blind and helpless Bartimeus. What in their light to
3842The Old and Vew iilonongahela.
The first carpenter work done by Thomas Taggart in town
was the long row on Main street below Strawberry alley. He
built it for his father-in-law, Nathaniel Everson.
Richard Everson had erected the Wise House and kept in it
the second tavern.  It was built at three different dates with
as many divisions. Among others who kept tavern in this
house we call to mind, A. C. Housman, Griffith Wells, J. W.
Wright and L. A. Eberheart. The house in which Mrs. Louisa
Taggart now (1893) lives was built by Thomas Taggart-himself
having purchased the lot from Solomon Speers.
Budd Gaskill built the old log part of the Lang house on
Water street. The late Samuel Winters had built the Bunting
house on Main street. The house now owned and occupied on
Main street by Jacob Haught was built by Joseph Pearson the
bricklayer and Wm. Wayts the plasterer.
The first doctor in town of which we have anyiaccount was
Dr. Horner, he boarded with Hornbeck; he was succeeded by
Drs. Pool, Kirk, Johnson, Roberts, Egan, Van Voorhis,
Creigh, Chalfant, Fetz, Rupp, Conklin. Hazlett, Enos, and at
this date, 1893, the resident physicians are: J. S. Van Voorhis,
A. N. Marston, Geo. E. Nickel, Andrew Guiler, N. B. Lowman and W. H. Lewis.  Dr. Van Voorhis came to Bellevernon
May 25th, 1847, and is now the oldest practitioner of medicine
in the valley.
In 1829 the Caughenour house was built by James Corwin,
who with Robert Patterson, did the carpenter work. During
its building Corwin lived in the house now occupied and owned
by Henry Haler and heirs on Main street, and Robert Patter-'
son had a cooper shop in that part of the Lang house recently
occupied as a drug store by Henry Lang. The house corner
of Second and Water streets was built by A. P. Frye, where
for a time he resided prior to his purchase of the tanyard now
the property of the heirs of George Lang.
In 1834 Robert Patterson built the old house out of which
has been made the fine residence now owned by Mrs. Neal on
Main above Third street.  Robert Patterson and Thos. Todd
432The Old and New Yionongahela.
did the carpenter work, and Robert G. Mullin, lately deceased,
of Fayette City, did the painting, and Thomas, brother of
Henry Doyle, the plastering. In October, 1833, Robert was
married to Keziah Winters. They boarded at different places
until the house was finished, moved into it in 1834 and lived
in it forty-four years.
The first regular packet boat that plied between Bellevernon
and Brownsville was the Minnie Harris, commanded by Capt.
McGinnis. It was a neat little screw propeller. It was succeeded
by the W. Q. Shrodes, Capt. Brooks.  It was a stern wheel
boat of small size. These boats were in service in 1872-73.
The next boat in the trade was the Athletic, Capt. O. D.
Johnson, who was drowned November 9, 1876, whilst landing
a barge at the Gibsonton wharf. At the administrator's sale
of the estate of 0. 1). Johnson, the Athletic was sold to
Bowell, Bowers  Loomis, J. M. Bowell and Morgan Bowers
of this place, purchasing one-half and Stephen Loomis, of
Lock No. 4, the other half. They commenced to run her January 17, 1877, and in 1878, Bowell and Bowers became sole
owners.  They sold it in 1881 to W. H. Moore, and built at
Brownsville complete the J. M. Bowell, and in 1882 made the
first trip. The J. M. Bowell on her trip on the 24th day of
July, 1884, was capsized by a storm in the bend of the river
below what is now called Coal Centre, and although over
thirty passengers were aboard only one was drowned.
Alex Austin was the first barber. He had his shop about
1859 on Main street, where is now the office of Dr. Van
Voorhis. It had, before Austin's time, been occupied by different persons, among whom was H. B. Frye, who kept in it
the first confectionary in town.  Austin entered the ministry
of the African M. E. Church, and in about 1860 moved tb
Barnesville, Ohio.  He died not long ago after having been
rather a prominent man in the church.
The present resident barbers are George Bolden, Wilbur Minnie and Conrad Metz. George camne to town in 1872, had his first
shop and lived in a house not far below Second and Water
433The Old and New Monongahela.
streets.  Minnie came to town a few years ago, and first
worked in the rear of Jacob T. Roley's store on State Road.
He is now located oil Second street and Long alley, and Bolden on Mainl street above Locust alley.
The last licensed hotel in town was in the brick corner now
owned by L. Z. Birmingham.   It was kept by R. C. Byers,
now a resident of Monongahela City.
Somewhere about 1859-60 R. L. Kenah had a drug store in
part of the room recently occupied as a part of the laundry recently burned on Main street.  In a short time moved it to the
Wise store room, and finding the business would not pay, he
removed to Beaver county, where he still carries on the business. The town now has four paying drug stores (1893.)
In the winter of 1853-54 existed the most successful literary
society in town of which we have any account.   Among the
active members we recollect very distinctly the names of Rev.
James-Davidson, Rev. J. W. Planett, J. J. A. Reynolds,
John C. Gabler, William Haney, J. S. Van Voorhis, James
H. Speers, J. C. Hasson.  During its existence the members
had a very fine literary entertainment in the old Methodist
Episcopal church above Strawberry alley, a program of which
Rev. James Davidson has in his possession.
The first festival was held in 1862 by the Ladies' Soldiers'
Aid Society, the proceeds of which purchased certain articles
of clothing for the soldiers, whom the people had conceived
were not sufficiently provided for by the government.  The
festival was held in the old school house on the hill, where
now stands the residence of R. J. Linton.  Provision beyond
measure was sent in by the soldiers" friends until the house
would scarcely contain it and leave room for the great gathering
of the people; never before or since had the old building so
many people within its walls.  Music on the organ and vocal
were features of the occasion. Among the music was "Twenty
Years Ago," sung and played by the late Prof. Fultonl, who
was a soldier at home on furlough.
The election in 1872 was held in the bellfrey of this same
434Tl e Old and New ilonongahela.
school house, it being fixed for the purpose on the torn down
foundation. From that year to the present elections have been
held in the old Speers brick house near the ferry.
SPEERS.
Henry Speers and Regina, his wife, were born in Germany,
and in about the years 1771-'72 settled on what is now known
as the Gibsonton farm. Henry Speers had four sons, Jacob,
Solomon, Noah and Henry, and one daughter, as far as we can
ascertain, who was the wife of Benjamin Frye, one of the
executors of the estate. Henr:y died in 1773. His son Jacob emigrated to Kentucky in early days, where for many years he was
a successful business man, and from whom the Kentucky Speers
had their origin. Solomon was killed by the Indians, on Salt
river, in Kentucky, where he had gone to engage in trapping
and trading. Henry, born July 8th, 1756, was sixteen years
old when his parents located near the present town of Bellevernon. He married Rebecca Frye, a daughter of Abraham
Frye, Sr., September 24th, 1777. She died July 16th, 1835.
This Henry Speers and wife were the parents of thirteen
children, onlly a few of whom we have knowledge. Henry, all
of his married life, resided on the farm called " Speers Intent,"
opposite Bellevernon. He was long a member of the Baptist
church, was licensed to preach by the church of Enlon, May
5th, 1793, and ordained by Rev. John Cobley, on the last
Saturday of March, 1797, and he continued as pastor of Enon
church to the day of his death, which was January 26th, 1840.
Enon church was located in chief, opposite Bellevernon.  lIe
was the principle man in building up this church, the members
of which at first worshiped in the old log building long since
gone, but more recently in the brick house still standing on the
hill near the ferry, and now owned by his grandson, S. C.
Speers. The old log church is said to have been built prior to
the old Horse Shoe Presbyterian church, which stood on the
farm long known as the Simon Wilson, back of Lock No. 4,
but owned by his son John Wilson. The brick mansion near
435The Old and New Monongahela.
the ferry owned and occupied now by his grandson, Noah
Speers, was built by him, that is Henry Speers, in 1806. One
of his sons was a soldier in the war of 1812, was in the battle
of New Orleans with Gen. Jackson. He lived for many years
in the log house on Maple creek, where the late Geo. Norris
so long resided; he died many years ago in the old log house
on the south branch of the same stream where the widow of
the late Joseph Beazell now lives.
Samuel, another son of Henry Speers, was also a soldier in
the war of 1812, exposure in the army caused him to be a
cripple in his last days, which were passed in the mansion near
the ferry. Many of our older citizens will call to mind
"Uncle Sam " with his many peculiarities of character.  He
was never married. John passed most of his life at Dunbar,
in Fayette county. His heirs still own part of the farm above
the original Speers farm, on the river. This tract of land was
in early day owned by Col. Edward Cook, one of the most
prominent public actors in the settlement of Western Pennsylvania.  At Dunbar he had a mill and a farm which are yet
property of his heirs, although the mill has ceased to grind.
He had quite a large family, several of whom have passed
away.  One. of the daughters of Henry Speers married Geo.
Hill, of Ten Mile, in Washington county; another was the
wife of William Ward, deceased, who lived many years in the
brick house about one mile above Twilight, in Washington
county.  Kattie married John McCrory.  Apollos, the remaining son, was born near the ferry September 8, 1801. After
his marriage to Elizabeth Cooper, who died at Marshalltown,
Iowa, September 13, 1874, he lived for a time at Fish Pot,
on Tenl Mile. With this exception he resided all his life in the
ferry brick house where he died February 23, 1857, and was
buried in the grave yard overlooking his residence, a site selected by his father as a burial place. Apollos had five sons
and six daughters.  Solomon C. resides on part of the "Speers
Intent" tract, below the ferry.  Noah still owns and occupies
the brick homestead of his father and grandfather. Jasper
436The Old and New iononongakela.
died January 8, 1859. Jacob and Henry have been residents
for many years of Marshalltown, Iowa. Margaret married
Enoch Baker, of Ten Mile. Nancy, now deceased, married
Samuel Frye. Mary married B. W. Johnson, and now resides
at or near Marshalltown, Iowa. Clara married James Walker,
and lived near the same place, so does Sarah.:Noah, the
remaining son of Henry Speers, the older, was not three
years old when his father settled on the Gibsonton farm,
where he, Noah. died June 9, 1832.
He not only owned the Gibsonton farm, including the tract
now belonging to John W. Irons, but also the farm on which the
late L. M. Speers so long resided, together with the ground
on which Bellevernon is situated. He carried on farming very
extensively, and had under him a large number of slaves. He
was founder of Bellevernon.   His wife, who was a daughter
of Abraham Frye, Sr., died May 12th, 1845. The remains of
Noah and his wife are buried in what is known as the Gibsonton graveyard, on the old Speers homestead. Noah left a
large family to enjoy his estate as disposed of by his will, dated
June 2nd, 1832, just seven days before his death, which was
caused by the kick of a horse.  Jacob married a daughter of
the late Major John Power, of Rostraver, and resided for
many years on that part of the Speers homestead now owned
by John W. Irons. He built the brick house still standing above
the public road.  Thomas Taggart did the carpenter work and
Joseph Pearson, we think, did the laying of the brick. In
about 1846 Jacob moved to Illinois, where he still lives at a
good age.   Solomon, after living for nearly half a century in
the brick house near the ferry, removed west in 1857, where
he died in 1860.   Noah W. inherited the old homestead; we
have already written in detail his career.
Louis M. SPEER.
For more than fifty years Louis M. Speer was the most
prominent factor in the history of Bellevernon. Although
dead, his many good qualities of head anld heart will riiot soon
30
4373   he Old and New Monongqahela.
be forgotten. He was nearly six feet in height, of a dark
complexion, and in weight bordering on 180 pounds.  His disposition was excitable, yet firm, though pliable to reason and a
sense of right. He was born July 26, 1810, in the old log
mansion on the Speer homestead, now the Gibsonton farm.
He was tutored to the business of farming by his father, Noah
Speers, and always more or less manifested much of his father's
disposition and habits of life.  He married Miss Jane Finley,
daughter of the late Win. Finley, who lived all his life near
Rehoboth church, and died in the stone house still standing
near that church.  Mrs. Speer died March 13, 1857, in the
brick house built and so long owned by her husband. After
their marriage they went to housekeeping in the old log house
which stood in front of the brick house. The old house was
removed by Alexander Austin, the barber, in 1843, to Bellevernon hill, and was for many years the residence of Peter
Lehew. It has given way to Lehew's present fine residence
on Market street, near Strawberry alley. Louis was one of the
most successful farmers of his day. He was the pioneer sand
dealer in the valley, his acres of sand yielded him a very handsome revenue. At first it was washed and prepared for the
glass manufacturer by hand power. The apparatus consisted
of a square trough about two by ten feet long. The rude sand
was taken from the field on his own farm by cart and horse to
the wash, then shoveled into the trough, water turned on,
stirred well and then the sand was settled to the bottom by
clubs beating the sides, the dirty water running off in the meantime. After beilhg washed it was stored in sand pens to await
market.  We call to mind the wash below the present Jones
barn; the one near the present residence of Geo. Fisher, and
another near the present residence of J. T. Roley. Then came
the horse power over the river near the old Tremont school
house where he washed sand taken from the land of Noah
Speers. Finally he was connected with the steam washer opposite town, now owned by S. C. Speers. In addition, he
dealt in stock, lumber, coal and merchandise. Early in the
438The Old and New Monongahela.
late war he was appointed inspector of horses in the Quartermaster Department at Indianapolis, to which place he repaired
and entered upon the discharge of his duties. He soon discovered that his honest manner respecting the office was not
compatible with the surroundings, so that rather than be
annoyed by attempts to swerve him from  a correct and open
discharge of his duties, he resigned in a very short time.
His first wife was Jane Finley, daughter of William Finley,
and grand daughter of the Rev. James Finley who was the
first pastor of Rehoboth.  She died March 13th, 1857.  They
had as children William F., who married Mary, daughter of
the late James S. Power.   At the beginning of the late war
William raised a company of Cavalry, went into the service as
second lieutenant, served during most of the time as captain,
and at the close of the war was honored for meritorious services
with the brevet rank of major of cavalry.  With his father he
carried on boat building and the coal business for many years.
After their financial embarrassment in 1877, William moved
to Sewickley on the Ohio river, where he was a member of the
Pittsburgh Boat Building Company.   He is now (1892) connected with a brick manufacturing company in Pittsburgh and
resides on Atwood street.
Noah Q. has long been connected with the sand business,
both with his father and more recently as a member of the
Speer White Sand Company, which has extensive crushing and
washing works on the Youghiogheny river, and at Mapleton
on the Pennsylvania Railroad, in Huntingdon county.  He
built the residence in Bellevernon now owned and occupied
by Levi J. Jeffries.  He resides at this time in BenVenue, in
Pittsburgh.  His wife is a daughter of the late Hon. Aaron
Bugher, of Fayette City, who represented Fayette county in
the Legislature in 1841. The other sons of Louis M. Speer
are by his first wife-J. R. Hughes and Eddie, now deceased.
The daughters are Mary, Margaretta and Celia.   Margaretta,
more familiarly known by the name of Rettie, married her
cousin, Solomon P. Speer.  They reside in Baltimore, where
439The Old and New Mionzongahela.
he is an active and successful business man. Mary married
Rev. T. S. Park; they live in Illinois. Celia married Rev. R.
B. Porter; they reside on the border of Butler and Allegheny
counties, the name of the town we can not recall.
In about the year 1859, Louis M. Speer married Miss Fannie
Stewart, of Colerain Forge, in this state.  The children by this
marriage, who are now living are David S., Calhoun, and
John S. V., little Frankie having died in infancy, his remains
are in the Bellevernon cemetery marked by a beautiful monument.  In 1878, Louis M. Speer and wife with their three boys
by his second wife moved to Wooster, Ohio. From the day
of his financial trouble Louis M. Speer seemed to fail in heart
and body, and on the 15th day of September, 1883, he died
whilst on a visit to his daughter Mary, near Cadiz Junction,
Ohio.  His remains were brought on the 18th to Bellevernon
and interred at Rehoboth.  The exercises attending the burial
were graphically described in a communication in the Monongahela Daily Re_pttblicaln which we insert:
BELLEVERNON, PA., September 19th, 1883.
Dear~ Colonel --Yesterday we laid to rest in Rehoboth grave
yard along side the wife of his youth, the remains of my old
friend L. M. Speer. As the body was borne by his sons from
the depot, the four bells of Bellevernon sent forth their solemn
echoes in memory of the dead proprietor. At the ferry wharf
the people en masse in open ranks with uncovered heads met
the cortege of sorrowing friends, and as it passed through to
the Presbyterian church, a death stillness reigiled and every
heart seemed impressed with emotion.  The large concourse
of people in and around the church was made up of his former
fellow citizens in every walk of life. The old and young all
seemed to vie in attempts to honor his memory. In the church
erected principally by his own liberality anid of which he had
been a member for many years, the services were conducted by
Rev. D. K. Nesbit, of Hazelwood, assisted by Revs. Baker
and Leonard of this place.  The body in full dress was encased
440The Old and New Jlonongahela.
in a beautiful iron casket weighing over seven hundred pounds.
The remains were followed to the grave yard by a long line of
carriages and two spring wagons conveying the town councils
of both boroughs, which had turned out in their corporate
capacity to do honor to his memory.
As the solemn procession approached his old homestead
every eye was turned and e-very heart filled with recollections
of the past.  Here he first located, here he passed his early
and greater part of his active and useful life, here his children
were all born; and from this sacred temple he had borne the remains of his first love.  Here he lived when he gave himself
to that God in whom he trusted to the last. At Rehoboth an
additional crowd had conlened to honor the remains.  O.n
their return the friends in sorrow were entertained by kind
hearts all over town.
For two generations he had furnished employment to a large
proportion of the citizens of Bellevernon, whereby they were
fed and clothed.  As a farmer, boat builder, coal operator and
merchant, he was generous and ever ready and willing to lend
a helping hand to the needy. It could truly be said of him
that he fed the hungry, clothed the naked, visited the sick.
He joined in every enterprise that promoted local or general
interest of the valley' of which he had so high estimate.  Thus
has passed away one who in my early struggles with the world
was ever ready to give a word of cheer; in maturer age a
companion in whom I could trust and in whose death is a loss
I cannot estimate the value thereof.
Yours truly,           J. S. V.
Few men in this valley had rendered more service to his
fellow men than Louis M. Speer.  He was a good neighbor, a
kind friend and a human benefactor. He was about the last of
the cotemporaies who gave caste to the infant Bellevernon.
His name will not soon be forgotten.  It is written everywhere
around his native place in deeds of charity and benefaction.
The world is the loser by the death of such men.
~441The Old and New Monortahela.
see was given to their hands to do, they did it well.  You who
have clearer light to your eyes and more adequate machinery
to your hands are expected to do better. They had the clay
and the log, you have the brick and tlle plank. You have the
wisdom that they taught you.
If I may be pardoned the personal comparison, they had the
foot-prints of Chill Hazzard's bare-feet upoin the school room
floor, and the marks of the chewed paper wads upon the ceiling,
you have his head joined to your councils, and the more powerful paper weapon which he wields now to aid you. Do not
make the mistake of supposing that there is less necessity for
work.  Machinery will not run itself.  Maps and globes of
themselves will not teach anybody anything even in this fine
school house. Do Ilot go home after this dedication and sit
down content that you have contributed so much money. You
can stint and economise and lower the tax a little.  A dollar
paid out to support a public school is a dollar put at interest
for the benefit of your children, and you owe it to them. You
have brought them into this struggling, fighting world and they
have a right to demand that you furnish them weapons forthwith. The old flint lock will not do. They were good enough
in our father's day, but we require something better and our
children will need the best. The old Concord coaches offered
wonders in the way of speed to our ancestors, but we travel by
steam now, and those who come after us are getting ready to
do everything by electricity. Steam is too slow for them and
they look to you to furnish the machinery.
You have done well to build this beautiful school house.
You have done bravely, in view of your misfortune, in your
last costly structure. But do not go home and canonize yourselves.  You have done no more than your duty to your children, as your parents did by you.  The future will belong,
as every age has, to the educated men.  By what you have
done here as fathers and what will be done within these walls
hereafter, you simply file your children's claim for a share in
it. As citizens you pay your debt to the government which
39The Old and New  bonongahela.
Louis M. Speer had a brother James who died in early life,
and Abram, who studied medicine but never practiced his profession very much. He lived and died in the old log house
long known as the Rev. Dr. Smith house, which stood in Rostraver, near the brick house erected by S. F. Jones, and now
owned by the heirs of Robert Fairmanl, on the road leading
from town to Webster. He was the father of David P. Charles
and Solomon Speers, of Elizabeth, Pa. Louis M. Speer had
several sisters all of whom we think are dead. Clarissa married
Andrew Ford, of Fayette county; Lucinda married Wm. Mills,
one married Samuel Walker, long a boat builder at Elizabeth,
and another was the wife of Robt. McFarland, of Lower St.
Clair, in Allegheny county. Jacob and Noah W. are the only
living ones of the family.
DEATH OF COL. WILLIAM  F. SPEER, BRICK MANUFACTURER
AND STEAMBOAT BUILDER.
Lieutenant Colonel William F. Speer died September 15,
1893, after a lingering illness at his residence, 321 Atwood
street, Pittsburgh, Pa. Over a year ago he was getting in a
car on the Central traction road when the car started and he
was run over. His right arm was crushed and his back hurt.
He was never well afterward, and Bright's disease developed.
He was a very sick man for some months past, all hope of his
recovery being given up weeks ago by his relatives.
Colonel Speers was the son of the late Louis M. Speers, a
well known boat builder, and was born in Bellevernon, September 3d, 1835. He received his collegiate education at the
college at Washington, Pa., and at the outbreak of the rebellion entered the service of his country, enlisting as a private.
He was made a second lieutenant, and then promoted to lieutenant colonel in a general order from the war department for
co6lness and daring courage on the field. He was captured
and served three months in Libby prison.   After he was exchanged he served as provost marshal in the Shenandoah Valley, and there had the pleasure of administering the oath of
442The Old and New' lMonongahela.
allegiance to the United States to the man who had made him
a prisoner a short time before. HIle was wounded at Winchester, and at the close of the war was mustered out after an
active service of three years and three months. He was a
member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and served as
commander of Hays Post, No. 3, of Encampment No. 1 of
the Union Veteran Legion and of Pennsylvania Commandery
of the Loyal Union. After the war Colonel Speers engaged in
boat building with his father at Bellevernon under the firm
name of L. M.  W. F. Speer.  In 1879 he moved to
Sewickley, later to Freedom, following the same business. In
1885 he severed his connection with the firm and embarked in
the manufacture of brick under the name of the Speer Brick
Company. His wife, three sons and one daughter survive him,
his oldest son having died last April. One of his sons, Captain
L. M. Speer, is a member of the firm of John A. Wood  Co.
the coal men, and another son, Harry, was engaged with him
in the brick business. The third son is with the furniture firm
of Jacobs  McGilvray. Colonel Speer had a large family
connection. Noah Q. Speer, of the Speer Sand Company, and
J. R. Speer, of Denver, are his brothers, and Mrs. Rev.
Thomas S. Park, of Tower Hill, Ill, Mrs. S. P. Speers, of
Baltimore, Md., and Mrs R. B. Porter, of Mars, Pa., are his
sisters. Colonel Speer was well known by all the river and
army men, and his genial disposition and social qualities made
him  a general favorite.    He was buried in Homewood
cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa.
DAVID FURNIER.
David Furnier was born in France. He left France to escape
the persecution of the Protestants by the Catholic church. He
first settled near Hagerstown, Md. At what particular time
he came to Western Pennsylvania we cannot ascertain. He
must have settled on Speers run or in the vicinity about the
years 1771-'72, as his dealings with Henry Speer the older will
show. Among other lands Henry Speer held a right to a tract
443[The Old and New Xfonongahela.
of land with a river front of 29 perches, at the mouth of Speers
run, and in the aggregate on each side of said run including
94 acres, which was granted by letters patent to Regina Speers,
widow and executrix of Henry Speers deceased, dated June
21st, 1774, and the said Regina Speers in order to fill a contract made by her husband in his life-time, by her deed dated
March 31st, 1798, did convey a part of said tract to David
Furnier to whom Noah Speers, one of the heirs of Henry
Speers, by deed dated May 30th, 1798, did also convey an
adjoining part. Near the Monongahela river and just where
boats are now being built, the old log house was erected and
stood for many years after it ceased to be occupied.  Whether
this house was built by HeIlry Speers or David Furnier we do
not know, but as land was held pretty much by tomahawk
right prior to the first issuing of patents by the state and as
Speers had a mansion a short distance below this house, it is
altogether likely that Furnier had this log house erected even
before the tract was patented or deeded to him, under the contract spoken of above. A verbal contract was sacredly held
inviolate in early days.
Besides this tract, Furnier owned additional land up the said
run, most of which is now the property of the heirs of Levi
Johnson.  The title of much of this land was in dispute and has
been the source of much litigation.  The original tract of land
on the river was deeded by the heirs of Furnier to Solomon
Speers in 1823, and in after years Solomon sold it to L. M.
Speer, and is now the property of S. F.  Wm. Jones.  On
this river tract was built in a very early day a flouring mill,
which stood just below the present stone house owned by
Samuel McKean. It was a log mill run by water power. From
all we can learn the firm of Elliott  Williams erected this old
mill and had a store in connection therewith, but sometime
prior to 1790, David Furnier became sole proprietor of both
mill and store, yet there is no record to show that Elliot 
Williams ever owned by deed the mill.  The probability is
that they erected this mill on a lease for a term of years, which
444The Old and New XMonongahela.
was no uncommon custom in those days.  On Furnier assuming the control of the mill and store with his distillery attached
thereto, the whole concern was carried on under the name of
"The Barter Mills," as is shown by the day book, running
through the years 1790-91, in the possession of the writer at
this time, the said book being kept by Jacob Bowman, David
Furnier's clerk. Jacob Bowman was a poor boy when he
entered first into the employ of David Furnier, in time he
became one of the most wealthy and influential men of
Brownsville, Pa.
The term "Barter Mills " arose from the fact that in the
change of the owner of the mills, there was some kind of a
trade or barter.  The mill, distillery, store and farm made up
a large business.  The books were kept in the money denomination of pounds, shillings and pence.  This was the first store
in this vicinity, and at the same time he had one at what was
known as Devore's ferry, opposite Monongahela City. Furnier's books show considerable trading with this last store, as
well as one in Pittsburgh, known in the day book as the Pittsburgh store. He also traded with the store at Beckets, now
known as Dagg's ferry. Grain-from all the surrounding country
was brought to Furnier. The rye was made into whiskey, and
the wheat into flour, and sold in Pittsburgh to which place it
was taken by trade boats and over land in wagons.
July 2, 1791, store at Pittsburgh, Dr. to sundries, including
142 barrels of fine flour, 84 do of superfine, 5 quarts of
whiskey for the boatmen, 10 pounds bacon, 1 tin cup, 16
pounds bread, 1 blanket, all shipped on board the Enterprise
under the direction of Mr. John Bartlett, the whole amounting
to ~323 or $1,615 in federal money. We can thus see what
an extensive business this "Barter Mills" carried on.
Among the customers in the day book we may name
Reasoner, Reeves, McLaughlin, Shepler, McCoy, Cummings,
Cissley, Speers, Corwin, Kerr, Ellis, Stewart, Hall, Patterson,
Cook, Hilleryhand, Leard, Spharr, Bonchom, Hill, Albin,
Barkhammer, Lippincott, Fulton, Springer, Fell, Housman,
445The Old and New Monongahelca.
Frye, Robinson, Burgan, Bigham, West, Cunningham, Rutan,
Crawford, Quimby, Cooper, Beazell and many other of the
early settlers. This was perhaps the largest business firm in
the valley at that time. The distillery was situated some distance up the run above the log mill. It gave way to the stone
still house that stood near the present green house of Samuel
McKean. We have no information of what disposition Furnier
made of the store before his death, which occurred in the fall
of 1807.  His will dated September 15th, 1807, does not
mention particularly any disposition of property only in a
general way. The old log mill gave way to the large brick
mill erected in 1803. This mill stood near the present stone
bridge across Speers run, and not far from the residence now
occupied by Mr. Curl. This mill was torn down in the years
1836-'37, and a part of the brick remain to this day in the old
school house in Gould's hollow. The saw mill which stood
near the site of the brick mill, was no doubt erected by Solomon
Speers after he became owner of the land.
David Furnier had brothers, Henry, John and James.
James was unmarried, lived with Henry in Washington county,
and died of sunstroke.
John, too, never married.   He had a tannery on the farm
now owned by John Irons, below town, then belonging to one
of the early Reeves. He had a store at Becket's, now known
as Dagg's ferry. He boarded with Becket while running the
store, and rode on horseback between his two places of business.  He sold out his business and went west, where he died
long ago-  This man, Joseph Becket, Jacob Bowman and
Polly Furnier were the executors and executrix named in
Furnier's will, which was witnessed by Dr. Bela Smith, Daniel
Burgan and Manasseh Reeves, all well known in early days.
The remaining brother of David Furnier, Henry, built the
stone part of the house near, the river, in Allen township,
Washington county, in which his son, Simeon, died in 1848,
and now owned by Philip Johnson.  Henry had quite a large
family, among whom the best known ill this neighborhood were
Simon and David. Simeon married Jane Stout; his children
446The Old and New Monongahela.
were Henry, Jesse, John W., William, Simeon and Mary.
Henry's oldest son, David, married a Dunlevy, sister to the
late Andrew Dunlevy.  Her mother was a Crawford, and
sister to the wife of the distinguished Colonel Edward Cook,
of the Rehoboth valley. This David Furnier had also a large
family, among whom we call to mind Andrew, of Allenport,
David, deceased in 1893, of the vicinity of lock No. 4, and
Matilda, wife of the the late Apollos Speers, who for years
was a cabinet maker in Bellevernon.
David Furnier, the older, had two sons and two daughters.
Bella died when quite young; Matilda never married, and lived
and died on the old Homestead; Lucinda married Judge James
Fuller, of Perryopolis in Fayette county, both are dead. They
were the parents of the well known Fuller boys, who have been
for years extensive cattle dealers in Philadelphia. They own
the old Fuller homestead near Perryopolis, together with an
additional large tract adjoining it. It has the reputation of
being the best improved farm in the county.
Furnier's son Bowman, named after Jacob Bowman, lived
on part of the Furnier homestead. He is deceased. He married a Miss Ebbert, who has been dead a number of years.
Bowman had three daughters and six sons. Mary married the
late M. F. Cook. Priscilla never married and remains at
home. MIatilda, the wife of James French, who was a fixture
in Bellevernon for nearly half a century; both are dead.
Thornton entered the army in the late war and never returned
home. David is a mlll-wright and resides near Dawson, Pennsylvania. Levi remains a part of his father's home, Volney
is in California. John was a resident of Bellevernon, now
dead, and Hugheson died when twelve years old of congestion
of the brain. Polly, widow of David Furnier, married Robt.
Johnson. The only issue of said marriage being Levi Johnson, deceased, a few years since. Mrs. Johnson died May 24,
1851, many years after the death of her second husband, and
forty-four years after the decease of David Furnier, her first
husband. Furnier, Johnson, Polly, their wife, and Levi and
his wife, are buried at Rehoboth.
447The Old and -New Jonongahela.
CORWIN.
Aunt Polly has passed away, was on the lips of almost every
one on Friday evening as her death was announced. Mrs.
Mary Smock Corwin was ninety-seven years old on Wednesday prior to her death, which occurred Friday, January 6, 1888.
She was born January 4, 1791, on the farm now owned by
Capt. Joseph Shepler, in Rostraver township, Westmoreland
county, Pa. The farm at that time was owned by one Joseph
Becket-a name well known in the early history of Western
Pennsylvania.  She was a daughter of Barnet Smock, who
emigrated from New Jersey in 1789.  Her father lived on this
farm  twenty-one years.  The maiden name of the mother
of the deceased was Jane Berdine. She was married to Peter
Wene, by whom she had three children, named Sarah, Anna
and Jane.  Barnet Smock was her second husband. The deceased was married to Morris Corwin at Brownsville by Esq.,
Elias Baillins, on the 18th day of June, 1807. Morris Corwin died in Bellevernon, September 20, 1835, in the same
house in which his wife died. Aunt Polly Corwin, as she was
familiarly called, and her husband came to Bellevernon April
1, 1816, and occupied the house in which she died. She lived
in this same house for seventy-two years, with the exception of
three months.  She lived to know that the sugar camp of threequarters of a century ago had become a thriving town of two
thousand souls.  She outlived three generations of citizens.
She was born in the early days of Washington's first term as
President.  She was born amid the struggles and trials of the
new Government, and lived to the time when that Government
had extended its limits from ocean to ocean, and its population
increased from 4,000,000 to 60,000,000.
Since her birth new territory has been added sufficient to
make forty states, each in size equal to all the original thirteen
if combined in one. She lived to see the pack horse give way
to the common wagon, Conestoga wagon, stage coach, canal
boat and finally to the locomotive with its sixty miles an hour.
448The Old and New 2Wononga4ela.
The telegraph and'telephone had not yet been in the dreams of
invention. At her birth the Monongahela valley was known
only as the hunting ground of the Indian, with here and there
a settlement of the sturdy pioneer, for it is a remarkable fact
that the upland out from the river was first occupied by the
white man. Shepler's hill, on which the deceased was born,
attracted very early the attention of immigrants.  She lived to
see the rise, progress and final doom on a desert isle, of ~Napoleon, the man of fortune and of destiny.  She outlived three
American wars, and had realized in her day that the western
wilds had become fields of ever blooming flowers, and that the
glad tidings of the Gospel of the Son of God'had been proclaimed in every tongue and nation of the globe. There were
but three families in Bellevernon when she moved into it.
The deceased was a member of the Christian church since
about 1843, and always a faithful attendant at public worship
whilst her health permitted, and above all her walk and conversation gave fruit of a true Christian woman. Although for
years deprived of seeing the outer world, owing to a loss of
sight, and being confined to bed for many years, yet she never
murmured against the Almighty, but earnestly longed and
prayed for the time to come when she could see her Savior
face to face, and just before her departure she repeated clearly
and earnestly these words of a familiar hymn:
How long, dear Savior, Oh! how long
Will these bright hours delay!
Fly swift around ye wheels of time
And bring the welcome day.
Except during the last months of her life, her recollections
of the past were very vivid, and to her memory the writer is
indebted for very much of the early history of Bellevernon and
vicinity.  She recalled an incident which happened to her personally on the day of the funeral of Rev. James Finley, which
occurred in 1795, she being only four years old.  She remembers very well of being present at the birth of our citizen, Robert
Patterson, who will be 80 years old next St. Patrick's day (17th
449The Old and New Mionongahela.
of March). Whilst her health permitted, she was ever ready
to extend a helping hand to the sick and needy, and she was
present at the birth of more children than any other woman
who ever lived in the valley. Not one of her early kindred or
associates are living.  She was the mother of Barnet, James,
John and William Corwin.  John and William are dead and
Barnet is dead also.  His first wife was a Miss Coll, sister of
Mrs. Thomas McFall and Mrs. Alex. Frazier. By his first
wife Barnet had two children, John W., the Main street
grocer, and Mary.  Mary was taken into her grandmother's
family--Aunt Polly-when she was 11 years old, and remained
with her until death separated them-a period of 41 years.
In joy or sorrow, in sickness or health, Mary was ever alert in
that household, and when her kind old grandmother was worn
out by age and affliction, she was the ministering angel that
soothed her pains and made soft her pillows until God took her
dear one home. Barnet's second wife was a daughter of the
late Joseph Springer, the issue of which marriage was several
sons and daughters, most of whom are still living.  Hlis third
wife was a Mrs. Cooper.
James, the remaining son living of Aunt Polly, resides on
Main street, Bellevernon.  His first wife was Eleanor Walker,
long since deceased.  She left two daughters-Georgiana and
Eva; the latter is dead.  His second wife also is deceased.
Her name was Indiana Jacobs.  Her aged mother, Jane
Jacobs, survives her and has been a resident of this town over
55 years.  James by his second wife has living William,
Clarke, George, Elma, Alice and Lizzie.
The funeral services of Aunt Polly were held Sunday at 2
o'clock, January 8, and were conducted by Rev. Joel Baker,
of the Free Will Baptist church, and Elder James M. Springer,
of the Christian church.  Her remains were interred in Bellevernon cemetery, in full view of the place of her birth.  One
grandson and three great-grandsons acted as pall-bearers.
Barnet Corwin, son of Aunt Polly, died July 20, 1889.
He was taken sick with something like a sunstroke and paraly450The Old and New Monongahela.
sis, and did not think much of it until taken to his bed, which
he never left. He was born near Bellevernon, April 27, 1814,
and grew up to manhood's estate. At the age of twenty he
married a neighbor's daughter, Miss Nellie Call.  To this
union came three children, J. W., Mary and Baker, the latter
dying quite young. Mrs. Q. only lived six years, and then
went to join her child in the realms of glory.
Mr. Corwin married Miss Margaret Springer, and quite a
family of children were born to them, those living being:
Sarah A., Charles R., Joseph F., Luther C., Rowland W.,
and A. Odell. The second Mrs. C. followed her children, and
her name is sacred to the children left.   Mr. Corwin did not
like to be left alone, and about seven years ago he married the
widow of Thomas Cooper, who survives him. He was always
a highly respected citizen and his loss was a blow. He in
early years was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
but later joined the Free Will Baptist church, of which he was
a member at his death.  He had not attended church in
his last days on account of his'hearing being defective.
His funeral took place Monday morning at 10 o'clock, and the
remains placed in the Bellevernon cemetery. The pallbearers
were all grandchildren of the deceased. The last sad rites had
been performed, when words similar to the following came to
the minds of the mourners and brought relief.
"Weep not for him who dieth,
For he sleeps and is at rest,
And the couch whereon he lieth
Is the green earth's quiet breast."
J. WESLEY CORWIN,
Died  on Saturday, November 8, 1890, at his late residence  on  Main  street, Bellevernon, Pa., of paralysis
of the heart.  He was born in the house adjoining his
late residence, well known as the  " Aunt Polly Corwin
house," July 6, 1834.  He was the only son of his father,
Barnet Corwin, by his wife, Eleanor Call Corwin,  He was
451The Otd and New lMoongahela.
protects you by doing the best and most that within you lies to
guarantee to your country an intelligent and patriotic citizenship in the future.  The school house is the cornerstone of
liberty and its bells chime the forward march of civilization and
improvement. You have laid the one deep in the abiding rock
and swung the other high to the winds of heaven. You have
a right to be pleased with yourselves and with your work, and
there is not one among this company who has more reason to
be proud and gratified than I who owe so much to the early
advantages which the liberality of your fathers gave me.
RE-DEDICATION OF THE SCHOOL HOUSE IN MONONGAHELA CITY.
The Daily Repaublican of September 28, 1883, gives an
elaborate account of the dedication of this school house, re-built
on the same site and embracing much of the brickwork of the
one burned March 2, 1883.  State Superintendent Higbee, J.
D. Moffat, President of Washington and Jefferson College,
Professor Lucky, Professor Douthett and Dr. J. S Van Voorhis, delivered very interesting addresses, in addition to Professor Fulton, inserted in full above. W. J. Alexander, President of the Board of Directors, before closing the exercises,
remarked " that it was half-past ten o'clock and plenty of good
dishes on the table not served.  So in dire need he was compelled to close, having omitted several names from the programme, fortunatety, however, of gentlemen whose local residence will enable us to hear them again.
OLD TIME SCHOOL HOUSES.
On the old road in Fallowfield Township, Washington
county, Pa.; leading from Hair's old mill to the Pittsburgh
and Brownsville State road, near where Dickey's school house
lately stood, near the farm line of the late Moses Colvin may yet
be seen a few relies of what was, over sixty years ago, an old
dilapidated house, converted into a primitive school house
It was erected of round oak logs, one story high; about 18 by
40The Old and New Jionongahela.
married to Miss Margaret Jane Jacobs, June 21, 1866, by
the Rev. Jordon C. Nye. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church of his native place in 1850, under the ministration of the Rev. John Coil, by whom he was baptized.  In
1853 he transferred his church membership to the Free Will
Baptist Church, during the ministration of Rev. David Winton.
This church then worshipped in the old building near the corner
of Wood street and Flint alley on the hill.  In his new church
relation the deceased assumed an active and influential position, and continued faithful to its interests and the cause of his
Master to the end.  He was among the first to agitate the project of erecting a new church edifice.  To this end he devoted
his untiring energy, and to him more than any one individual
is that church indebted for the new building, now standing on
the corner of Short and Speer streets.  As a deacon in the
church he was faithful and ever on the watch for its interests
and the welfare of souls.  As a citizen he was honest aind
upright in all his dealings, and was so regarded universally by
the community in which he always lived. In the municipal
affairs of his native borough he was often called to take part,
and always performed his office satisfactory to his fellow citizens. At the time of his death he was a member of the school
board of which he was treasurer. He leaves a wife, one son
and sister, with several half brothers and one half sister, to
mourn over his sudden departure.  On Monday, October 10th,
his remains were interred in Bellevernon cemetery, where
three generations of his kindred await the resurrection morn.
Blessed be his memory.  iHis transition from earth to eternity
was sudden, and without a struggle his eyes were closed in
death and opened to behold the Son of Righteousness in all
his glory.
DEATH OF MRS. SARAH A. SIRINGER.
Mrs. Sarah A. Springer, wife of J. M. Springer, Esq., died
on July 25th, 1893, and was interred in the Bellevernon cemetery at 3 o'clock July 27th.  She was born December 5th,
452The Old and New Honon.qahela.
1825, in Rostraver township, and was in her 68th year.  Her
maiden name was Reeves, daughter of Samuel and Nancy
Reeves, and she was united in marriage to J. M. Springer
May 15th, 1847, and was the mother of nine children, all of
whom survive her and who were present at the time of her
death and burial. A true devoted Christian mother, it was
her happy lot to see all her children grow to manhood and
womanhood, and her's was the first death in the family. In
this union was cemented, though existing, social ties between
two of the oldest and best known families in this part of the
state.  Each of these families dating their settlement among
the first in the wilderness of the Monongahela valley.
Her disease was an acute affection of the stomach, from
which she suffered deep and painful affliction for about five
months. Her end was peace, and was marked by the quiet
resignation of a long life earnestly spent in the service of the
Master on high, aild her bereaved husband and family have
the heart-felt sympathy bf a large portion of the community
who knew her but to love her. The thought is, however, a
consoling one-that their loss is her gain, as she has gone to
reap the reward deservingly won.   The funeral was attended
by a large assemblage of relatives and friends, and the service
was conducted by Rev. B. L. Kershner, pastor of the Christian
church, assisted by Rev. Charles Clark, pastor of the Presbyterian charge at Rehoboth.
J. B. GOULD.
John B. Gould was born in Hillsborough county, New
llampshire, June 6, 1795.  He left the paternal roof at an
early age to try his fortune amid the hills of the coast bound
State of Maine, but in 1810 he emigrated from that State and
came to the neighborhood of what is now known as the Red
Lion, above Fayette City, Pennsylvania. In 1811, in company with the families of a man named McCalla and Ziba
Whiting, father of the late Geo. Whiting, of Fayette City, in
all fifteen persons, immigrated to the territory of Louisiana.
31
453454            T/7he Old and New iMononygahela.
Two of the men died there together with four of their children.
Gould returned in 1812, and was the last to die of the company.  Shortly after his return to the Red Lion he became an
apprentice to a Mr. Coldron to learn the scythe and sickle trade,
and remained with him over four years. Miss Jane Trainer,
an inmate of the household of the widow Whiting, early
attracted the attentions of the young Gould, and after an engagement of five years, he concluded one day whilst " hoeing
corn," that if Jane was willing and the next 4th of'July came
on Thursday and in the light of the moon, they would get
married. He hastily consulted the never failing almanac, and
to his great joy he found all right in accord with his wishes.
They were married on the 4th day of July, A. D. 1824, and
to use his own words, "in the year that Jackson first ran for
President." They located on the farm just above Bellevernon,
a part of which he owned to the day of his death.
They commenced housekeeping in the old log house that
stood on the bank of the river, but what has long since passed
away. He did not work much at his trade, but devoted his
time generally to farming, and in the winter taught school.
For many years Gould and John Wilson seemed to have a
mortgage on the " art of teaching " in the town and vicinity.
Gould "kept school" in the house now owned by W. P.
Mackey on Main street, and in other houses about the town
prior to the building of the brick school house on the hill and
in the hollow. Many of our older citizens owe their early education to the influence of Gould's ferule and birch.  He informed the writer when speaking on the subject of education,
that for a long time he regarded himself as one of the educators of the land, but found in reality that progress had so far
outstripped his Yankee notions as to force him to acknowledge
to having scarcely learned his A. B. C.'s half way.
Gould was always held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.
He held many offices in his adopted township of Washington.
He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1845-50-55.  He
served as Assessor in 1840-51-54-62-65-68. He was Auditor7T/he Old and New MWoonogaiela.
in 1858-63-66. He was School Director in 1849. lIe served
many years as Constable when that office was considered one
of the most important in the township.  His career as Justice
marked well his effort to do right between man and man, and
he spared no pains in settling petty cases without the process
of law suits. Gould was one of the pioneers in the Disciple
church of the town'; and to him, more than any one individual,
is that people indebted for its success in the town.   His wife
died some years prior to his death, at the old homestead.
Gould died September 9th, 1884, while on a visit to his
daughter, Mrs. John Coldron, near Fayette City, in the 90th
year of his age. His remains were interred beside those of
his wife in the Bellevernon cemetery.  They had several
children, some of whom preceded the parents to the grave.
Malissa married William Beam, and is now deceased.
Lorena is the wife of John Coldron, above Fayette City. John
resides in North B3ellevernon. Ephraim is in Colorado. Elmer
Morrison, a grandson, resides in Seldom Seen, a village being
built on part of the old farm. He lives in his own home alone,
and seems to enjoy life and the good will of his fellow citizens.
Nancy Jane married Thomas Richards, now deceased. She
lives in ZanesvilIe, Ohio.   One daughter married a Mr.
McKinney, but where she resides we are not informed.
Another daughter married a Mr. Stout, and have their home in
Kentucky. James has long been a resident of Illinois.
John B. Gould, in politics, was always a democrat, having
voted for every democratic candidate for president since the
days of Madison, having voted the first time 1816.   During
the great know-nothing exciterment in 1854, he was one of the
ten democrats in Bellevernon district who stood up for William
Bigler, the democratic candidate for governor. He always had
a poor opinion of the know-nothing organization.
455The Old and New  ionongahela.
W M. EBERHEART.
The first glass manufacturer in Bellevernon died at the residence of his son-in-law, Leonard Laneheart, in Redstone township, Fayette county, Feb. 23,1882. He was born in New Geneva
on the Monongahela, in the year 1800. He was the son of Adolph
Eberheart, who emigrated from Germany and settled in New
Geneva, soon after that place was founded by Albert Gallatin,
a native of the city of Geneva in Switzerland. Gallatin had
erected in his new Geneva home the first glass works in the
west, and the older Eberheart was in his employ until Gallatin
was called by President Jefferson in 1802 to a seat in his cabinet as Secretary of the Treasury. At the time Gallatin entered
Jefferson's cabinet, Adolph Eberheart became proprietor of the
Geneva glass works, and in due time his son learned the glass
blowing trade.  William married Rachel Hutton; a sister of
the late John James and Nathan Hutton, all well known in this
community in their day. Not long after his marriage, in about
1828, he moved to Williamsport, now Monongahela City,
where for several years he followed his trade in the works of
Wm. Ihmsen, at that time the most extensive window glass
manufacturer in the west.  One of his children died at that
place, and its remains are now among the unknown relics of
the old grave yard on the hill. Eberheart subsequently carried
on the glass business at Albany, below Brownsville. In 1832
he started in the same business in what was then called Freeport, afterwards Cookstown, and now known as Fayette City.
In 1836 he removed to Bellevernon, where he purchased of
Patton and Kendall the unfinished glass factory, ever since
known as the old glass house. He first resided in the Demain
house oil Water street, now owned by the heirs of the late
Capt. J. M. Bowell. From this house he moved to the house
on Water street, near Third street, known as the Morgan Gaskill house. About 1849 he purchased from John Niccolls the
Noah  W. Speer farm, now  known  as the  Gibsonton
farm.  In 1852 he became financially embarrassed.  In 1855
456The Old and New lMonongahela.
he closed up the glass business in Bellevernon and removed
to Fayette City, where for a time he aided one of his sons in
the business.  His daughter Elizabeth married Noah W.
Speers.  She died of yellow  fever a few  years ago in
Memphis, Tennesse.
His son, William, married Margaret L. Smith, grand
daughter of the late Hon. George Plumer. Adolph married a
daughter of the late William D. Mullin, Esq., of Fayette City.
Rebecca married A. C. Housman, who, in 1847, kept the hotel
now known as the Wise house, in Bellevernon. They left
that house for Baltimore, Md., where they still reside. Allen
K., another son, is perhaps the best known shoe man in Pennsylvania.  His first wife was a Reed, and present wife was of
the name of Brick.   He has for many years resided in Philadelphia, and is now connected with the shoe firm of Graff, Son
 Co., No. 512 Market street, Philadelphia. Thomas Niccolls
married William  Eberheart's daughter, Elma, in 1845.  He
died many years ago in Cincinnati.  Her present husband is
Leonard Lanehart. They live in ease and comfort in a beautiful home on the National pike, between Brownsville and
Uniontown.   Charles D., the remaining son, married a Miss
Mason, daughter of Morgan Mason, a well known river man of
Brownsville, but of later day a resident of Missouri.  We are
not able to sav when Eberheart erected the second or new glass
house, but it must have been in the early forties.  The long
and short rows, well known as the factory tenements, at the
upper end of town, were built by him for his workmen. He
also built the storeroom lately occupied by R. C. Schmertz 
Co. Eberheart was very liberal in his views and treatment of
men. In his day there were no butchers, so called, so that his
men were supplied with eatables and meat at his well filled
store. In the fall of the year he bought hogs by the score and
distributed them ready dressed among his men. So with beef,
he sold to his men a quarter at a time.  His cellar and warehouse were frequently replenished. The writer has known fifty
five barrels of molasses to go into the store cellar at one time,
457The Old and New Monongahela.
together with barrels and hogsheads of sugar. He generally
purchased his stock of dry goods, c., in Baltimore, and it was a
common affair to see 12 W boxes of dry goods hauled from the
wharf, now the ferry, with notions, hats, caps and hardware,
in proportion. For convenience and as a labor saving machine
it was the custom for umany years to use his own script as
money. This currency was charged on the books in sums as
drawn by the employes, and taken back in return for goods.
The script was issued in the denominations of 6! cents, 128
cenits, quarter and half and one dollar pieces.  Specimens of
this script is still preserved by some of the curious.
Eberheart was proverbally generous to the poorer class of his
employes, in many instances would forgive a long extravagant
account rather than oppress. Whilst a resident of the town he
was not connected with any church, but had a high regard for
all denominations.  Whilst holding a pew for many years in
Rehoboth, under the ministrations of Revs. Gillett and J. R.
Hughes, he was a liberal contributor to the support of the Gospel in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bellevernon.
In his day glass making was principally confined on this
side of the mountains to Pittsburgh and the Monongahela valley. The Gallatin factory at New Geneva, the Albany, the
Bellevernon, the Williamsport, the Elizabeth, the Cookstown,
and the Perryopolis glass works were in early day in the valley,
all of which, save those in Bellevernoni, have long since passed
away. They have been supplanted by one at Brownsville, one
at Fayette City and one at Monongahela City.
Eberheart sold his glass chiefly in Pittsburgh and Cinciinnati,
his son-in-law, N. W. Speers, being for many years his agent
in the latter city. In his works he generally made two qualities of glass.  The first quality was branded Bellevernon, and
the second W. Eberheart. The sizes were principally 8 by 10
and 12 by 14, but in his latter days the size began to increase.
It was the custom in his day to agree with the blowers for the
fire early as February preceding the end of the current year
ending July 1.  Strikes and other troubles as now a days were
unknown, harmony and good feeling prevailing between the
458The Old and N-ew Mlonongahela.
employer and  employes.   Dr. David  Porter was  the
next physician after Dr. Smith, who located in the
Forks. He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, March
17, 1794. His father, Wm. Porter, was a neighbor of
Capt. Wm. Woolsey, who in early days owned the lands
in Rostraver township, recently owned by Dr. Porter and
now belonging to the heirs of Mrs. Levi Johnson, deceased.
Wm. Porter took a lively interest in the whiskey insurrrection
of 1794.  On account of his open opposition to the enforcement of the whiskey law, he was compelled to flee from the
"Forks."  With his young wife he went to Wheeling where
his son David was born. After the excitement of the insurrection was over, Wm. Porter returned to Rostraver, where he
taught school until his thirst for travel induced him to accompany Wm. Darby to New Orleans. The yellow fever was prevalent at that time in the south, on account of which Darby
refused to complete the journey. Darby returned, but Porter,
not daunted, pushed forward to the city and was never heard
from afterwards. Capt. Woolsey mourned over the loss of his
friend. Being childless he adopted David as his own son,
under whose care he was educated, and at his death, in 1834,
David inherited his large estate. For more than half a century
Dr. Porter was the leading physician of the "Forks."  He
was a man of good physical structure and very well adopted to
endure the exposures of the pioneer doctor.
He was a man of fine literary culture and a writer of more
than local reputation. He was not a graduate of any Medical
College, but in 1825 the Trustees of Jefferson College conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine.
The first wife of Dr. Porter was a daughter of the distinguished
Dr. Obadiah Jennings.  By this wife he had two sons and one
daughter. The daughter married Levi Johnson both of whom
are dead leaving Nelson and William as their only issue.
Obadiah his son was a physician and died many years ago.
William the surviving son died in Texas. The second wife of
Dr. Porter was a sister of A. H. and J. B. Miller well known
459TAle Old and New Jfonongakela.
in their day.  The only issue of this second marriage was their
daughter Ada who died years ago. Mrs. Dr. Porter is now a
resident of Uniontown.  Dr. David Porter died in Uniontown
September 22, 1875, the remains being interred in Rehoboth
grave yard.
CAPT. WOOLSEY
To whom Dr. Porter was so much indebted for his start
in life was born in Ireland in 1748. He followed a sea faring
life from early boyhood to the age of thirty years when he
immigrated to this country and joined the continental army, in
which he commanded a company, at the close of the war lie
settled on the farm on which Dr. Porter resided. He married
Margaret Goe, who had immigrated to these parts co-temporary
with Col. Edward Cook and many other well known early
settlers. The common mode of traveling in those days was
something different from that in use now a days. When the
Goe family immigrated the childrdn were carried in baskets suspended on each side of the horse--white and black mixed
together, and on the way the races would occasionally kick up
a fuss which would require the intervention of the parents and
master to settle.  The Captain though very eccentric in manner and customs had many good qualities of heart, and was
very peculiar in his likes and dislikes.  The few older citizens
now living yet recall his peculiar traits of character.
SPRINGER FAMILY.
The name of Springer has long been identified with Bellevernon and vicinity.  It was introduced by the arrival of
Michael Springer, who was born in Stockholm, Sweden, about
1727, and came to this country somewhere in 1760. The exact
date of his marriage is not known.  His wife's surname was
not known, but she was called Mary Ann. Michael Springer's
father found Mary Ann asleep at the foot of a tree when she
was supposed to be only about three years old.  Her clothing
was of fine quality, but nothing was found about her person or
460fThie Old and New Mlonongahela.
clothing to indicate who she was; all that she could remember
was that she lived in a large house where there were lots of
flowers and a big porch, and where one day she was when a
man came riding along on a black horse and said, "Come, little lady, and take a ride."   Michael Springer's father raised
her, and his son (Michael) married her and emigrated from
Germany to America about 1760.  They first settled near
Philadelphia, where Daniel was born September 15th, 1762.
Michael Springer and family crossed the mountains about 1783
on pack horses or mules, his wife carrying her spinning wheel
on her back. Theytook by tomahawk right the land now
(1893) owned by the heirs of James Ward, deceased, and
others in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county.   The
tract originally contained 355k acres, and was called Springersburgh. The patent for this land was granted Daniel Springer
dated May 18th, 1787, on a warrant issued to Michael Springer
and signed by Benjamin Franklin, President of the Supreme
Executive Council. Michael and Mary Ann had five children,
John, Mathias, Michael, Mary and Daniel.   The father died
1797, and was buried in the family burial ground, near a part
of the Bellevernon cemetery grounds. Their sons, Michael and
Mathias, settled in the west. Mary married John Worley and
moved to the west.
The old homestead was given by will to Daniel. He married Rachel Higgins in 1790. He was born in Virginia in
1760 and came to this region about the time the Springer family located in Rostraver. ]Daniel had eight children, Michael,
Mathias, John, Joseph, James H., Nancy, Daniel and Martha.
John married Sallie Billiter. John was killed by a limb from
a tree which he was felling, in 1833. John had four children,
Nancy, who married Harrison Hornbake; Rachel, who married Thompson Carmichael, and after his death she married
Jesse Sills, who for many years lived in Bellevernon, but at
his death was a resident of Ohio. John R. married a Miss
Jordon, of Monongahela City. They lived for a time in Shelbyville, Indiana, but at last accounts were in the State of Cali461The Old anwd New illoPonngahela.41
20 feet in size, roofed with clap-boards held in place by what
were called "weight poles" extending a little beyond the
length of the roof; these poles were kept at proper spaces
apart by what were called "knees;" these were pieces of
timber either round or split, about 3 feet in length.  The clapboards were about 6 feet long and 6 inches wide, split like
unshaven shingles of now-a-days, but of uniform thickness and
width. The ceiling was laid loose with inch boards and the
floor in the same manner. The space between the logs was
filled with "puncheons" and the open space filled with clay
mortar.  The huge fire place was made of split logs, interlaid
with flat stones laid at an angle of 45 degrees, and daubed with
a mortar called " catan " clay.  The chimney was " topped "
out with split sticks plastered with the same kind of mortar.
If the chimney smoked it was attributed to the wind "beating
down. "  The door was hung on wooden hinges and Inade
throughout without nails.  The wooden latch with its flaxen
string were the fastenings of every day use.  But, to make
secure, was accomplished by the wooden bolt which could only
be displaced by a practised manipulation of the wire key made
at the nearest blacksmith shop. The windows were on the
sides, midway between the ceililng and the floor.  They were
made by taking out on each side a log for about two-thirds the
length, and to keep out the cold and admit light, in the absence
of glass, greased paper was used instead of panes of glass.
The paper being more frequently used on account of its cheapness.  Along these windows, fastened to the log wall, were the
boards on which the advanced scholars did their writing.  The
benches used for seats for the scholars were made of split logs
with the split side up-and no backs to lean against.  The fire
was a wood fire--no coal being yet used.  Such is a meagre
description of an old time school house, where, in old Fallowfield town~hip, the older Moodys, Witherows, Colvins, lHairs,
Van Voorhis', McComas', Powers, Evans and others were
accustomed to congregate to be taught their first lessons of
wisdom.
414The Old and New Monongahela.
fornia. Mary married Joseph Culler, of Rostraver, where
they now reside.' After the death of John Springer his widow
married Luke Hornbeck. They lived for many years in the old
log house that stood where is now the residence of George
Scribner on the State road leading from Bellevernon to West
Newton. Luke was a shoemaker by trade. He died July 22,
1866. Daniel, son of Daniel the older, was never married,
and has been dead many years. He lost the use of one leg
from white swelling. He spent most of his time in studying
music, though he had no voice for singing, but loved the
science.
Joseph, son of Daniel, married Margaret Driver. They
lived in the old log house on the county line near town. The
farm in part is owned by S. F. and Wm. Jones, and part now
divided into lots forming the town of East Bellevernon. The
ground was purchased from J. W. Carothers by Geo. C. Maxwell and J. T. Roley, who laid out the town. Joseph had
born to him twelve children. James and Newton died in
childhood. Daniel was the oldest and married Rachel Jordon,
who still survives her husband, who died October 21, 1870.
Daniel lived most of his days in Bellevernon where his widow
still resides.
Martha married Barnet Corwin, both of whom are dead.
John married Sarah A. Baily, and has been a resident of
Brownsville for many years. Rachel and Lydia were twins.
Rachel married James Carroll and died December, 1879.
Lydia married Asa Hastings, who died in Brownsville in 1882.
His widow lives in Findlay, Ohio. She was the mother of E.
A. Hastings who published the first newspaper in Bellevernon.
Nancy married Edward Cook, both of whom are dead. James
M. married Sarah Reeves, and has been a resident of the town
ever since their marriage in 1847, excepting a short time in
Mount Pleasant, Pa. He has long been an active citizen,
having been honored by his fellow citizens with many offices of
trust. With the expiration of his present term, 1893, he will
have served forty years as Justice of the Peace.  Joseph
462The Old and New WMonongahela.
married Hannah J. Davidson. They reside in Circleville,
Westmoreland county, Pa.  William  R. married Margaret
Reed, and are residents of North Bellevernon. Margaret, the
remaining daughter of Joseph Springer, married Frederick
Browneller. They live in Findlay, Ohio.
Joseph Springer, the father of these children, died at
Brownsville June 20, 1871, and the mother October 28, 1876.
James Higgins Springer, another son of Daniel the older, inherited the old homestead.   He married Sallie  Smith,
daughter of David Smith, a Revolutionary soldier, whose
remains are in Rehoboth graveyard.  He died in Webster, Pa.,
April 26, 1876, his wife having died January 17, 1864. Their
remains are in the Bellevernon cemetery. They had seven
children. Martina married D. B. H. Allen, who died February 22, 1881. Sophia married Dr. J. R. Nickel, who died
July 17, 1874, in Connellsville, Pa. Mrs. Nickel resides in
Bellevernon. Theodore is married and lives in the west.
Ancelmo married Barbara Newcomer and is a resident of
Clinton, Iowa. Everil F. married Ella Huffman, of Iowa, and
now lives in North Bellevernon, where he is in the drug business. Caroline died December 12, 1885. Rebecca is also
dead. Martha, daughter of Daniel Springer the older, married James Beazell, who so long carried on blacksmithing
where now Mr. Cowan has his shop, near the Bellevernon
cemetery. James Beazell died February 28, 1868, and his
wife October 18, 1869. Their remains are in Bellevernon
cemetery. They had a large family, some of whom  have
passed away. We recall Jasper, now living in Cincinnati. Elizabeth, widow of Wm. Ballou, resides in North Bellevernon.
James, now dead, and Albert, resided in California, where
many years ago, Thomas Benton died. Mortimer, after having
been in California for some years,- returned to his native heath.
Malissa and Anna reside on the old homestead. Rachel married Samuel Bedsworth, who resides near the old home. Jane
lives at Ruffsdale, Westmoreland county.
4634The Old and N2ew Monongahela.
ANDREW DDUNLEVY.
In the early days of Bellevernon Andrew Dunlevy and
his brother-in-law Geo. Hazelbaker carried on the manufacture
of hats in the house at that time known as the Billiter house
on Water below Third street.  It was truly a manufactory as
all the work was done by hand power. They not only made
the popular wool hat of that day but also the fine fur hat. The
wool hat did a boy an undesirable long service. There seemed
to be no wear out to -it, as it was the custom at that day to
iron over and shape anew the hat whenever it became discolored or presented an unseemly appearance.  The fine fur
hat was also subjected to a renovating process that made it
good as new.  This firm was the market for rabbit and mink
skins, from which the fine fur hat was manufactured. Caps
and mufflers, so called, were made from coon and fox skins
with the tails as ornamental appendages.
Andrew Dunlevy was born July 24, 1795, on the farm
now owned by his son Jehu in Allen Township, Washington
County, Pa. He died July 24, 1879, in the house still standing a few rods distant from the spot where he was born. The
farm  is situated on the Monongahela river about one mile
above Speer's ferry.  This farm was the home of his parents.
His mother was a Crawford, sister of the wife of Col. Edward
Cook well known in the early days of the "Forks" neighborhood. The wife of Andrew Dunlevy was a daughter of the
older Wm. Jackman who was father also of the late Jehu and
Simeon Jackman well knownl citizens of Washington County.
Andrew had five sons and two daughters.  Joseph died in
his youth.  Anthony was drowned many years ago in Galveston Bay.  William married a Furnier and resides in the west.
Crawford married a lady in Brownsville, and has resided for
some years near the hot springs, in Arkansas. Barbara married
S. T. Williams, well known in former years in this vicinity;
they now live in Iowa. The remaining daughter was accidently
burned to death.   Jehu resides on the homestead, and is one
464.The Old and New Xonongahe/le a.
of the solid farmers of Allen township.   His first wife was a
daughter of the late Hugh MclKee; his present wife was a
Smith from the Youghiogheny valley.  Andrew Dunlevy's
wife died in 1845.
Andrew by birth and profession was a Presbyterian in religion.  At his birth Dr. Ralston had not commenced his ministry at Horseshoe Meeting House, now only known by the
rough stones that mark the graves of the early settlers.   Dr.
James Finley had just closed his earthly labors as pastor of
Rehoboth, where Dunlevy's parents were accustomed to worship with his uncle, Col. Cook.  Dunlevy was one of the
number who organized, about 1840, the Maple Creek Presbyterian Church, and during its existence was a member of the
sessions.
In the eldership of that church he was associated with such
men as Moss, Baker, McJunkin and Simeon Jackman, all of
whom have passed to the beyond. In politics Dunlevy was
always a D.emocrat of the Jeffersonian school, and even the
Know Nothing allurements of 1854 could not entice him
from his inborn Democracy. He always possessed the confidence of his fellow citizens as an upright Christian gentleman.
Honest in habit, generous in heart, kind in disposition and devoted to his country and church, he was ranked among those
whose place it would be hard to fill. His remains were buried
along side those of his wife in the Speer's graveyard, opposite
Bellevernon.
HAZELBAKER.
Peter Hazelbaker immigrated to this country from Anspach,
in Germany, as an English soldier during the revolution. He
was taken prisoner by the American forces, was inever exchanged, and at the close of the war he settled in the United
States. Shortly after the war Peter married Elizabeth Shively,
daughter of Daniel Shively, of Berkely county, Va., now
West Virginia.
After their marriage Peter and his wife immigrated to
465Thle Old and New Monongahela.
Washington County, Pa., and settled in an old log house on
the farm now owned by one of the heirs of S. A. Chester, in
Allen Township. He died in 1800 and his remains are buried
in the field just above the present residence of Major Henry
Spharr. Peter had six sons, Peter, Daniel, John, Jacob,
Abraham and George. Jdhn was an old time school teacher.
He taught the first school in Bellevernon. The kitchen part of
the residence of the late Aunt Polly Corwin on Main street
was the schoolhouse. He and Daniel died in the West. Peter
died six weeks after the death of his father and was buried in
the same graveyard. Abraham died near Brush Creek in Ohio.
Jacob was well known in the communi-ty.  He was a shoemaker by trade and lived many years in the stone house just
above Bellevernon now owned by R. C. Schmertz  Co.
About 1848 he removed to a farm near Perryopolis where he
died. George lived beyond all of his brothers. He was born
in Berkely County, West Va., January 18, 1790. His wife
was Matilda Dunlevy sister of Andrew Dunlevy.  She died in
1853. After his marriage he erected the lower part of the
old house on Main street in Bellevernon where now stands the
house owned by A. L. Brown and occupied by Abe Lewis. In
the old house George and his wife first set up housekeeping
and there he carried on the hat business until he and Dunlevy
started the shop in the Billiter house.  He also resided for a
time on the Gould farm, then on the Levi Johnson, then on
the Rutan farm opposite Columbia owned now by W. J. Manown. He moved from this farm to the Cooper farm near the
mouth of Maple Creek and finally in I841 he purchased the
farm on which he died, in Allen township, from Abia Allen
and Robert Stockdale.
His son Andrew married a daughter of Thomas Frye and died
about the year 1856 near Lock No. 4.  Joseph died at the
homestead unmarried. Anthony lived for many years in the
house near the mouth of Maple Creek now owned by Charles
Baltzee. He carried on the flouring mill which stood between
the dwelling and the present bridge. The mill has passed
466lThe Old and New Monongahela.
away. Anthony over thirty years ago moved to Illinois where
he died a few years since. Jacob married a Miss Crow and
lives in Clarion County.  George married a Miss Riggs and
lives on part of the homestead and John resides in Allen township not far from Wood's Run.
Matilda married Joseph Wolf and resides in the west.
Mary married Jehu Cooper, now deceased.  She lives in Illinois.  Sarah Ann is the wife of Addison Cummings, of Allen
township.  Margaret married R. C. Guffey and died in North
Bellevernon.  George Hazelbaker, the father of this large
family, died on the home farm, June 23, 1880. He united
with Rehoboth church in his seventy-fifth year and remained
in that membership until his death.  He was a good citizen, a
genial neighbor, and above all a Christian. His remains were
interred in Howe Cemetery.
THOMAS WARD AND FREDERICK COOPER.
Thos. Ward built the first house in Bellevernon. In the
summer of 1815 he purchased the lot on the corner of AMain
and Second streets, now owned by Howard McClure and Mrs.
Kittle, and built thereon the well known house now moved to
the upper end of the lot, and occupied now (1893) by James
Haggerty's widow. Before moving into this house Ward resided in the old house that stood near the present home of
Wm. Kyle in North Bellevernon.
He was a most skillful mechanic in every art of making in
wood. He was born May 23, 1776, but where we cannot say,
or just when he came to this vicinity.  He lived to a good old
age in Bellevernon, and when the decrepitude of age prevented
his earning his own living he was kindly taken to the household of his children in Ohio, where some thirty years ago he
died. His wife was a daughter of the old Frederick Cooper
who settled about 1768 on the farm lately owned by Thomas
Redd, and the farm of Robert McKain, both of which now
form the site of the flourishing town of Charleroi.  This settlement was made after the death of his first wife.  On this farm
467The Old and New Monongahela.
(then embracing both the Redd and McKain land) he reared a
shanty or cabin under the protection of the fort that was located
near the present Gibsonton distillery on the opposite side of
the river.  Notwithstanding the fort, the depredations of the
Indians were so frequent and dangerous that the new emigrant
concluded to return for a time to the east, where he had left
his son John and two daughters, Polly and Betsy. Whilst in
the east he married Elizabeth Kyle as his second wife, and in
a short time after the marriage he returned to his farm on the
Monongahela, with his new wife and children, where he remained to the day of his death.  His remains were no doubt
interred in the family burying ground yet to be seen in the
orchard above the present residence of Mrs. Thomas Redd.
Frederick's son Valentine inherited thle farm and lived at his
death in the old house that stood not far from the present brick
house.  Jehu, son of Valentine, inherited the upper part of
the land and in his day erected the brick house.  He sold,
before going west, to A. P. Frye, whose heirs sold to
Thomas Redd, who in 1890 sold the farm, excepting
the  house  and  surroundings, to  the  Charleroi  Land
Company.  The lower part of the original Cooper farm
was sold at -administrator's or executor's sale, Daniel Van
Voorhis becoming purchaser, who in his day sold it to his son
John F. Johnl F. sold it to Elgy Van Voorhis, his nephew,
now of Kansas City, Missouri.  After a short residence on it
Elgy sold the farm to Robert McKain, a greater part of which
he sold in 1890 to the Charleroi Land Company, on which
they are now building the flourishing town of Charleroi.
[From Bellevernon Ettterprise, May 20th, t892.]
CAPTAIN JOSEPH SHEPLER.
Died Sabbath, May 15th, 1892, at his late residence in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, Pa.  He was born
-March 6th, 1807, on the old home farm recently owned by his
brother, Lewis, but now occupied by David Deaterly.  He
468The Old and New iWonongahela.
was the oldest of seven children of Isaac and Sarah H. Shepler. His ancestors on both sides of the family emigrated from
Germany and settled in Virginia, near Winchester.   The
grandfather of the deceased, Mathias Shepler, with  two
brothers, Peter and Philip, moved from Virginia before the
war of the revolution and settled in Rostraver, taking up farms
on the Monongahela hill in that township, on part of which
his descendant, Philip Shepler, now resides. Mathias married
Margaret Housenian, whose famnily too was one of the early
settlers in the township.   Their children were John, Philip,
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Mary, Margaret and Catherine.  All
were married and raised families, and all are deceased. Isaac,
the father of Joseph, the subject of this sketch, married Sarah,
daughter of Joseph and Mary Hill.  Her father, at the age of
eighteen, came to Rostraver township, before the Braddock
expedition, and is supposed to have been the first white settler
in the region included within the township.  Isaac had as
children Joseph, Lewis, Samuel, Margaret, Elizabeth, Sarah
and Polly.  Lewis died Decemrber, 1881, on the farm  oin
which he was born, now ownled by David Deaterly, above
named.  Polly married James Wright, and are both dead.
Samuel, brother of Joseph, was born July 14tk, 1814, and
resided on and owned a farm adjoining Joseph, being a portion
of the land taken.up by his grandfather Hill. He is now deceased.
He had been twice married. His first wife was Eveline Steele,
whom he married December 12th, 1839.  She died April 18th,
1850. Jan. 29th, 1852, he married Elizabeth Couldren. Elizabeth, now deceased, was the wife of Davis Shepler, now
deceased.  He lived on and owned the farm recently sold by
his heirs to David W. Owens, in Rostraver.   Sarah, another
sister of Joseph, is the wife of Jehu Stephens, a farmer living
in Washington township, Fayette county, Pa.  Isaac Shepler,
father of Joseph, died December 10th, 1837, and his wife survived him many years, dying July, 1869. The remains of
both are interred in the graveyard at Fell's church.
Capt. Joseph Shepler passed his whole life in Rostraver
32
4690The Old and Hew Monongahela.
township; he was educated in the schools of the township, and
always attended church within its limits.  Until the age of 22
he lived on the homestead where he was born. He married
April 16, 1829, Mary, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Blackburn, who lived on a farm not far from what is now known as
Rostraver postoffice. Mary, wife of Joseph Shepler, was born
March 28, 1807, being twenty-two days younger than her husband and she survives him. Her family was among the early
settlers in Rostraver.  For one year after marriage Joseph and,
wife lived in the house of his father, then went to housekeeping on one of his father's farms, where he resided and carried
on farming for eight years.  In 1838 he moved to the farm on
which he died.  Capt. Shepler had been a member of Fell's
M. E. Church over sixty years, and one of its chief supporters.
His wife joined the church at the same place and time and remains in its membership to this day. Joseph Shepler had four
children, two sons and two daughters. Sarah born January 7,
1830, is the wife of William Jones, of the Bellevernon banking house of S. F. Jones  Co. They have three children,
Ella Jane, Joseph Shepler and  Samuel.  Violet another
daughter of Joseph Shepler, was born August 20, 1833 and is
the wife of Capt. Martin Coulson, now residing on a farm near
Monongahela City, Pa.  They have as children Joseph S.,
Margaret E. and Alfred Kerr. John B., son of Capt. Shepler,
was born February.18, 1835, married Josephine Claywell, of
Jo Daviess County, Ill. Their children are Shedrack Claywell, and David Richey.  Isaac Hill the remaining son was
born March 20, 1840, married Eveline, daughter of Samuel
Shepler, to them  were born James Kerr, Mary Blackburn,
William Jones and Elizabeth. The death of Capt. Joseph was
the first in his family or in any of his descendants. He left 12
grandchildren, eight of whom acted as pall bearers at his
funeral-two sons from each of his children's families. In the
church Joseph Shepler had acted well his part in the offices of
Trustee, Steward and class-leader and in all other church
work to which he was called.  In his native township, to
470The Old and New Monongahela.          471
which he was so devoted, he held every office and performed
his duties with fidelity.  He was a man of undoubted and
well known integrity.
He was a military man by nature and disposition.  He received the sobriquet of Captain by serving at the age of
twenty-one in that capacity in the first company Eighty-eighth
regiment of State Volunteers.  He held the position of Captain for seven years in this company; was afterwards Captain
for five years of the Monongahela 3Blues and First Lieutenant
of the Rostraver Cavalry for seven years. His voice and commanding appearance, together with his knowledge of military
tactics, gave him a first rank as an officer.  He had a wonderful memory, especially for the things of long ago. He seemed
to have never forgotten the incidents of the neighborhood from
boyhood to the day of his death. He was firm in his convictions of right, yet gentle and hospitable in the inner man. He
was a Jackson Democrat, having voted for him twice, and
always voted for the Democratic candidate for President since
he cast his first vote in 1828. He believed the hope of the
country was in the carrying out of the principles of Democracy as first enunciated by Jefferson and confirmed by Jackson
in his two administrations. He recalled to mind very vividly
the incidents of the Sabbath day in 1825, when Gen. LaFayette passed through the Forks by way of Rehoboth valley.
His funeral took place on Tuesday, May 17, from his late
residence. His remains were interred in Bellevernon Cemetery.  His pastor, Rev. Hildebrand, and his old friend, Rev.
Mcllyar, officiated at the last rites.
[From Bellevernon Enterprise.]
CROSSED OVER THE RIVER.-MIRS. ROBERT J. LINTON.
On Wednesday morning, September 21, 188'7, at 4.40 o'clock,
Mrs. Robert J. Linton quietly and peacefully ended her days
on earth and went to join the countless army who have gone
before into the land from whence no traveler returns.  She
was in her 51st year, and during all her life she was an earnestI he Old and New  o;)nonCqahela.
The younger generation of these fathers also " went to
school " here, and among the least was the writer, who " went "'
his first day to school in this house, when Miss Crawford was
" mistress " of the school.  The lady teacher was theii called
mistress, not schoolmaCtrm.  In due course of time, this oldtime school house had to be abandoned, and the friends of education in that vicinity, in order to have the school in a more
central location, erected a house similar to the former on a
three-cornered piece of ground donated for the purpose by the
late Daniel Van Voorhis, near the residence of Van Shannon,
near a double sugar tree, just before turning down the run, opposite the entrance into Shannon's barnyard.  At that time
this sugar tree was quite small, and it acted in a clear day as
kind of timepiece, for when the shadow of the school house
reached this tree it was time te " let out."  The first teacher
in this house was Thomas Heslep, of the well known family in
"Horse Shoe."  Here in this time-honored house William
Colhoun taugllt for many years the youngsters of the older
families. He was a good master, severe in his discipline but
successful in beating what he did know into the minds of others.
He was a great tobacco chewer and always hlad the floor near
his seat well besmeared with the juice of the weed.
LIFE OF WILLIAM COLHOUN.
William Colhoun was born in Donlegal, Irelanld, four miles
from Letter-Keeney, June 10, 1796.  He was a son of Andrew
Colhourn, who was born, lived and died in the samne house in
which William  w.as born.  No one of the family except William ever came to this country.  He emigrated to America in
1818.  Sailed from  Londonderry in May 7 of that year for
Quelec, and was six weeks making the voyage.  His destination was Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where he had two uncles.  They lihad built and were operating a paper mill in connection with a large store, in which lie expected to' obtain
employment as a clerk. There being no large vessels to sail for
Philadelphia for two or three weeks, his company, consisting
of three persons, concluded to take a schooner.
42The Old and New )lIonongahela.
and zealous Christian woman. There seemed no task that her
Master desired her to do, that she would not do. She was a
member of the First Presbyterian Church of this place, and
when her health would permit she was always found among the
worshippers. During the past eight months she knew she could
not get well, but there was no complaining or fretting.  Hei
thoughts seemed to be "'Thy will, not mine, be done," and when
the time came she losed her hold on earthly things and went tc
join the host where sorrow and parting are never known.  She
was married to Mr. Linton on August 30, 1864, and leaves a
husband and three children to mourn her loss. The funeral
services took place on Friday at 2 p. m. from the Presbyterian
Church, and the remains were interred in the Bellevernon
cemetery.
Mrs. Caroline S. Linton was born at Hudson, Ohio, 1836.
She was the third child of Rev. Giles and Mrs. Electa Doolit
tle. Her father was a man prevalent in prayer and unshaker
faith in a covenant keeping God. He died in the prime of hif
days, committing his children in the hand of his God, saying,
though I had a bag of gold to leave them, I could not be as
sure of their being provided for.  Mrs. Linton ever felt thai
her father's prayers followed her.  At eight years of age she
was placed in the primary department of the Hudson Female
Seminary, receiving most of her education in that institution,
under the charge of the most accoinplished New England
teachers, but later was sent to the Western Female Seminary
at Oxford, Ohio, where she graduated in'58, and taught suc
cessfully for a few years. In'64 she was married to Roberi
J. Linton, and they moved to this place in 1870. Three chil
dren were given them, and it was her unspeakable joy to sec
them all brought into the visible church.
The tender kindnesses from  friends and neighbors thai
flowed in a constant stream into Mrs. Linton's sick room, are
known only to the Lord, and her sincere thanks and those ol
the family are returned to all with prayer that the Lord wili
abundantly reward all with his grace.
472The Old and New ]XJonongahela.
REHOBOTH.
The Presbyterian Church of Rehoboth was organized in
1778, by Rev. James Finley.
In 1784 Mr. Finley became pastor of this church.  He continued as its pastor until his death January 6th, 1795. His
remains are in the church graveyard.  Preaching was held in
an old log house near the present (1893) residence of Joseph
A. Cook, in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county, Pa.,
about one mile from the present church building. In Rev.
Finley's time the old hewed log church was erected, which
stood about where the public road is, in front of the present
church.  This log church gave way, in 1803, to the brick
building known in all western Pennsylvania as the brick church,
and even at this late day (1893) Rehoboth is called by many
as the brick church.  The present building was erected in
1836. Two years after the death of Finley, Rev. David Smith
became pastor, and continued as such until his death, August
24th, 1803.  Rev. Smith was succeeded by Rev. William
Wylie, who was installed in 1805, and continued pastor until
in the spring of 1817.
In June, 1817, Rev. Robert Johnson became pastor and
continued as such until December, 1832. In December, 1834,
Rev. N. H. Gillett was installed pastor. In 1848, at his own
request, he was released from the pastoral charge of Rehoboth.
In 1849 Rev. James R. Hughes became pastor.  In 1865 he
resigned to take charge of the Blairsville Seminary.
Rev. James R. Hughes was born in Beaver County, Pa.,
March 17, 1819. He is one of tell children of the late Rev.
Thomas E. Hughes who was the first minister ordained north
of the Ohio river. James R. Hughes is the only survivor of
seven brothers, four of whom were ministers.  Watson, John
D. and William having served their Master here for many
years, have gone to receive their reward. James R. Hughes
received his education preparatory to College in the good old
academies of Steubenville and Wellsville, Ohio. In 1843 he
4 "y  The Old and New Monongahela.
entered the Junior class of Washington, Pa., College and
graduated iii 1845.  Soon after graduating he entered the
Western Theological Seminary.  In 1848 he was licensed to
preach. He was called to Rehoboth church near Bellevernon,
Pa., in 1849, and was installed November 8, in the same year,
by a committee appointed by Redstone Presbytery, consisting
of Revs. Samuel Wilson and John McClintock.  In 1869 he
was called to his present (1893) charge in Dayton, Ohio, where
his ministrations have been successful in building up one of
the largest churches in that city.  His wife was a daughter of
the late David Stewart of Huntingdon County, Pa.  She died
in 1868.
Rev. Hughes was succeeded by Rev. Loyal Young Graham,
who was installed October 11, 1865, and dismissed at his request to accept a call to the Olivet Presbyterian Church, of
Philadelphia, where he remains this day, October, 1893. Rev.
Graham was succeeded by Rev. G. M. Hair, who was installed
December 20, 1872. In June, 1874, Rev. Hair resigned,
and was succeeded by Rev. Marcus Wishart, who was installed
October 28, 1874, and resigned April 24, 1877. August 30,
1874, Rev. A. F. Boyd was installed as his successor. December 11, 1883, Rev. Boyd had, at his own request, the pastoral relation dissolved.  October 24, 1884, Rev. W. G.
Nevin was installed as pastor. February 1, 1887, he was, at
his own request, released from the charge to accept a call to
the Presbyterian church at Sharon, Pa. Rev. S. F. Farmer,
D. D., was installed pastor April 30, 1887. In the autumn of
1891 he was released from Rehoboth to accept a call from the
new  church of Charleroi, in Washington county, Pa.  In
the latter part of 1892, Rev. Charles A. Clarke was installed
pastor, and remains as such to this date, October, 1893.
DEATH OF MRs. ANNA M. BAKER.
Died at Bellevernon, Pa., November 27th, 1885, in the 40th
year of her age, Mrs. Anna M. Baker.
Mrs. Baker was the daughter of Joseph and Salome Shoe474The Old and New -Monongahela.
maker, was born and grew up to womanhood on her father's
farm near Apollo, Pa. At an early age she united with the
Presbyterian church of Apollo, under the ministry of Rev.
Robert McMillen.  She was married October 12th, 1876, to
Rev. Perrin Baker, then pastor of the churches of Boiling
Spring and Appleby Manor. She was the mother of two children, viz: Theodore and Daniel.
She was naturally of a steadfast disposition and grace, built
upon this foundation an inflexible devotion to divine truth,
which she received with implicit faith and reverential fear.
She was unusually gifted with womanly grace and tidiness, so
that she made beautiful whatever she wrought with her hands.
Her religion was rather practical than emotional, and though
not without doubts and fears in her mental struggles, she approached her latter end with steadfast confidence and peace.
HON. GEORGE PLUMER.
We are indebted to the writings of the late Isaac Craig of
Allegheny, Pa., for the following interesting biographical
sketch of Hon. George Plumer.
George Plumer was of English descent. His ancestors were
of an ancient and honorable fanlily. Members of the Plumer
family were among the earliest settlers inMassachusetts. From
that State Jonathan Plumer immigrated to Pennsylvania in
1750. He was a commissary to General Braddock in 1755,
and after Braddock's inglorious defeat he settled at Old Town,
near Fort Cumberland. A tradition in the Plumer family has
it that he was with Forbes when that "Head of Iron" took
pogsession of Fort Duquesne in 1758, and named it Pittsburgh.
He returned east with Forbes' army, and located at Fort
Frederick.  Here he met and married Miss Anna Farrel.
In 1759 we have an account of Plumer at Fort Pitt, but not
until 1761 did he bring his family to the west. In that year,
by permission of Colonel Boquet, he built a cabin and "made
valuable improvements" on a tract of 1,500 acres of land
along the Allegheny river which he had become jointly inter475The Old and New Xonongahela.
ested in with Colonel Croghan, who had obtained it on a grant
from the Indians. This land includes the location of the
United States Arsenal and the Allegheny Cemetery.
The peace of Fontainebleau, "which secured to the British
crown this long-disputed section," was signed on -November 3,
1762.  Immediately after British possession was assured emigrants began to flock in from Eastern Pennsylvania, Virginia,
Scotland and the North of Ireland.  Jonathan Plumer's cabin
was one of the pioneer structures outside of Fort Pitt.  It was
located about 100 yards east of where the old Ewalt mansion
now stands, which was built by Samuel Ewalt, who purchased
the property when it was sold by the sheriff at the suit of
Croghan's creditors.  In that rude frontier cabin, whose blue
wood smoke curling among the trees was a guide for the
settlers on the 5th day of December, 1762, the first white
child was born west of the Allegheny mountains under British
dominion. He was christened George Plumer, and his after
career was as notable as his birth.
The youthful Plumer became a noted hunter and scout, and
occasionally accompanied parties of surveyors.  Soon after the
close of the revolution he met Miss Margaret Lowrey, the
youngest daughter of Colonel Alexander Lowrey, of Lancaster
county.  Miss Margaret was visiting her sisters here, Mrs.
Daniel Elliott and Mrs. John Hay, when she met the strapping
young backwoodsmnan in buckskins. It was a case of love
from the beginning, and shortly the young couple were engaged. When the engagement was announced to Mrs. Hay
there was a storm. The Lowrey family were wealthy and
proud. Mrs. Hay opposed the match and threatened to send
Miss Margaret home. Before this could be done the youthful
couple set an example which has been followed by many ardent
lovers since. They eloped, and were married in August, 1784,
but the girl henceforth was an outcast from home.
The first home of the newly wedded couple was on the right
bank of Pucketos (now Puckety) creek, near Fort Crawford,
within the present boundaries of Westmoreland county, where
476;The Old and New Monongahela.
Plumer had taken up 300 acres of land and built a log cabin.
Here he conducted his aristocratic bride, and the two bravely
began the struggle of life together without a hope of the
father's forgiveness.  Plumer cleaned the land and hunted the
game that abonnded in the woods.  They were often annoyed
by Indians, and were compelled to take refuge in the woods
and occasionally in Fort Crawford.   There is something
pathetic in the situation of the high born girl who preferred to
share the dangers and privations of such a life with the man
she loved, rather than give him up for the luxuries of the
Lowrey home and a share of the Lowrey fortune.
George Plumer and Robert Hays being balled upon to perform a month's military duty as scouts, a Pittsburgh attorney
took advantage of their absence to send a surveyor to survey
their lands, and had a patent taken out before they knew anything about it.  By this scoundrelly action they lost their all.
Shortly after this Plumer met his father-in-law for the first
time. Colonel Lowrey had a large body of land north of
Hanna's town, near Greensburg, about which there was litigation, and preparatory to the trial of the case, he was there
with a party of surveyors to fix the boundaries. Plumner was
hunting in that direction and met the party.  Being well
acquainted with the surveyors, he shook hands all around, and
then he was presented to his astonished father-in-law.
The unexpected meeting was a triflle embarrassing to Plumer.
He invited his father-in-law to go home with him and see his
daughter and grandchildren.  But the Colonel declined, and
bade him a cold farewell.  But in a day or so who should
appear at the little log cabin in the woods but the stately Colonel Lowrey, unannounced, but greeted with a tearful welcome.
The Colonel fairly overwhelmed his long lost daughter and her
little sons with embraces, and ev'erything went well after that.
That reconciliation between a disobedient daughter and an
irate father was notable as the first event of its kind west of
the Alleghenies.
Lowrey followed up the reconciliation by giving Plumer and
4778The Old and New Xonongahela.
his wife their choice of three fine tracts of land near the
mouth of Big Sewickley creek.  The selection was made and
Plumer erected a house at the mouth of the Sewickley, near
West Newton. So attracted was Col. Lowrey with his son-inlaw's enterprise and thrift that two years later he presented him
~800 ($4,000) to erect mills on his property.
The next year the Colonel came again and found the saw
mill running, and masons at work on the foundation of the
grist mill. He was delighted and presented Plumer with ~300
more and sent him burr stones for the mill.  Plumer afterward sold his mill and built a large square log house on the
upper portion of his.farm, where he spent the remainder of his
days.  He went into the distilling and mercantile business in
1808 and carried them on with great success.  Shortly after
this his public career began. He was elected to the Legislature
by his admiring constituents in 1812, and was re-elected in
1813, 1814, 1815 and 1817. In 1820 he was elected a representative to the seventeenth Congress from the Westmoreland
district. He was then in the prime of his vigorous life, and
performed efficient, though modest service, in the national
legislature.
Mr. Plumer was re-elected to the eighteenth and nineteenth
Congresses, and after that retired to private life. When urged
to allow the use of his name as a candidate for Congress again
in 1832 he positively declined.  In 1818 he lost his wife, that
gentle and steadfast companion of his joys and sorrows. He
afterward remarried.
Mr. Plumer was a pillar of the early Presbyterian denomination here, and was one of the nine ruling elders elected to
select a site and establish a theological seminary west of the
mountains.  He did not favor the site finally selected on Hogback Hill, Allegheny, but favored the purchase of Braddock's
Fields for the purpose. He died January 8th, 1843, at the
ripe age of eighty years, six months and three davs.
This valiant pioneer left a numerous and vigorous line of
descendants.  Branches of the Plumer family are scattered
478lhe Old and New Monongahela.
throughout the state and in the western states. John Campbell
Plumer, who distinguished himself in the war of 1812, at the
seige of Fort Meigs and in other engagements, and who was a
member of the Legislature and State Senate from the Westmoreland district, was his oldest son.?GIBSONTON CEMETERY.
The Gibsonton Cemetery Company was incorporated June 4,
1890. The grounds are located on the property of Gibsonton
Mills in Rostraver township, Westnmoreland county, Pa., and
within one-half mile of the Borough of Bellevernon, Pa. The
Board of Directors in 1893 are T. L. Daly, Hugh Price, John
W. Wilkinson, H. C. Daly, John W. Irons, James Frost,
Jacob Irons. President, James Frost. Hugh Price, Secretary,
Treasurer and Superintendent. Already (1893) lots have been
sold-enough to make the corporation self-sustaining.
LONG BRANCH.
By the Court of Washington county, Pa., in 1893, a certain
portion of Allen township was incorporated into a borough,
under the name of Long Branch. This borough includes with
its limits territory exclusively rural, no village belonging
thereto. This is said to be the first instance of the kind in the
state.
SPEERS.
Application will be made to the Court of Washington county
on the 13th day of November, 1893, for the incorporation of
the above village into a borough. It is situated opposite Bellevernon, in Allen township, Washington county, and is a fast
growing town, with ample room for manufacturing sites.
STOCKDALE.
The application for the incorporation of this village into a
borough will also be made on the 13th day of November,
1893. This village is situated above Allenport, in Washington county, on the Monongahela river, and is a rapidly
growing town.
4794The Old and New  fononga,hela.
GLASSPORT.
This is a new town laid out by the United States Glass
Company. It is located on the east bank of the Monongahela
river, about three miles above McKeesport, in Allegheny
county, Pa. The McKeesport and Bellevernon Railroad runs
through the town.  It is one of the most desirable sites for a
manufacturing town on the river.  The United States Glass
Company are at this time, November, 1893, erecting a mammoth brick, glass works on this site, and other large plants are
in contemplation.
[From the Monongahela Repubtican.]
COL. SAM. B. BENTLEY.
Samuel Black, the first of this family in Washington county
of whom there is any record, was born in 1775 in County
Down, Ireland. In 1791 he came to America, and in 1793
embarked in business as a trader at Parkison's Ferry.  His
oldest daughter was Elizabeth, who married William Bentley,
and her son was Samuel Black Bentley, who died of appoplexy
at his home in Monongahela City on Sabbath day morning,
October 29th, 1893.
Col. S. B. Bentley was born inl Monongahela City, April
29th, 1826, son of William and Elizabeth Bentley.  He received a common school education.
He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at the age of 17,
and was a most devoted and a very loyal member.  His fealty
to the Methodist church was steadfast, it held first place always
in his affections.  HIe was a class leader, a Sunday school
superintendent, a steward, and for nearly forty years a choir
leader. No society ever had a more devoted member-no one
a more industrious or self-sacrificing adherent-and in his long
life the Christian idea pervaded, and Bible morality controlled
him.
Mr. Bentley was twice married  to Miss Graham, February
22nd, 1847, and after her death to Miss Rabe, February 28th,
1856, who survives him.   Their children are Charles, Harry,
480The Old and New Xonongahela.
Millie and Mary, who now mourn the loss of a father whose
tenderness and watchful care are now a sacred memory.
Col. Bentley was a patriot-he loved his country and its
flag-he was an honored member of the Grand Army of the
Republic. That patriotism lead him in early life to join the
military. He was a private in the old Monongahela Blues;
was commissioned first lieutenant in the Monongahela Artillery
by the governor in 1857; was commissioned colonel of the
seventh regiment, Pennsylvania Militia, by Governor Packer
in 1858. When the war broke out he was commissioned by
Governor Curtin quartermaster of the 140th volunteers, and
served throughout the war in that capacity, a trusted and honorable career. When the war was ended Col. Bentley came
home and has lived here since.
The editor of this paper begs here to, record an incident
which mirrors the man.   The story has been told before, but
not printed.  In one of the campaigns, I was sent by General
Crawford on an afternoon to find his ammunition train and
bring it up to the command.  Going through the wood on that
errand, a small party was observed, and riding over to where
it was assembled I heard the voice of S. B. Bentley saying,
"HI-old on, men: this will not do;    was too good a man
to be buried without some sort of Christiail ceremony." I
pushed my horse through the pines, and was an onlooker while
our friend and comrade, Bentley, led in a hymn, and then
kneeling offered a prayer.  My seeing this was purely accidental-we were in different wings of the army--but I can
never forget it: the shallow grave, the yellovw clay, the dead
soldier, the interested and upturned faces of the blue coated
kneeling comrades, the sad song of requiem, and the short but
earnest prayer.  Unfortunately the name of the dead officer is
not now remembered, although Col. Bentley has frequently
named him, and I understand his body was subsequently
recovered and removed from its bed under the soughing pines
where I had witnessed its wierd and solemn funeral. This
little story tells of our dead friend's tenderness, his piety and
481The Old and New Xzononga/hela.
The officers agreed to lash their baggage fast on deck and
cover it with canvas. For a time all seemed well, but the
little vessel was overtaken by storm and capsized off the coast
of Nantucket, where it lay for twenty-six hours, the captain
and sailors sticking to the rigging on the outside and withinl
was the little company of passengers, among whom was an old
sailor, who having found a hatchet, took in the situation, sailorlike, and in a short time had a plank cut from the bottom of
the vessel, and from the opening thus made he ordered the
company to pass to the outside, after which he had the hole
stopped with bedding. He then cut off the mast and the vessel
righted itself. Everything on deck was washed overboard and
lost, together with its sails and mast.  The vessel with its officers and little company of passengers floated at the will of the
waves until the next day, when they were taken up and landed
at Amboy, New Jersey. William Colhoun lost all he had except what he had on his person and a few guineas in his pocket.
He had with him in his baggage $2,400 worth of linen. It was
the custom for emigrants on leaving Ireland to invest their
surplus money in fine linen and by coming through Canada
they avoided the high duty to a good extent that would have
been imposed on them in sailing directly to the United States.
He made his way at once to his uncles, where he expected to
find employment, but found most of the customers of the store
were Dutch and required the service of a clerk to suit that
vernacular.
Disappointed, but not discouraged, the young Irishman made
rapid pace to his cousin William, in Clarksville, Greene county,
in whose store he remained two years.  At the expiration of
this time, Samuel Clark, proprietor of the towii, and his brotjier,
Robert Clark, of Brownsville, sent him to New Orleans with a
flat boat loaded with flour and whiskey. The late Captain
Samuel Clark, son of the above Robert Clark, was one of the
crew attached to the flat boat.  They left Millsborough in
February, 1821, and returned in due time, coming up on the
first steamboat that ever run on the lower Mississippi; that
43482           The Old and New Xlfonongakela.
his respect for the dead. How often here at home we have
all heard his voice at funerals, how willingly he responded to
the sorrows of others.
Col. Bentley was a member of the Masonic Order; was
made a Mason in Beallsville Lodge, and became a charter
member of Henry M. Phillips Lodge, No. 337, this city, when
it was instituted, May 5th, 1860, along with John Withrow,
David Riddle, Shesh Bentley and A. J. Buffington.
He was elected to councils in 1856, when H. D. Cooper was
burgess.  He was an Odd Fellow and a member of the Equitable Aid Union, which order will pay $1,100 benefits to his
family.
In his death our town loses a proniinent figure, always full
of public spirit, always ready to help, always efficient. The
church will feel his loss more, and his family most.  When he
is laid to rest and the grave shall have covered him, Monongahela will be bereft of a man whose life is a part of its history.
The suddenness of his death is a reminder once more that
"   There is a reaper, Death,
And with his sickle keen,
He reaps the bearded grain at a breath."
(From the Daily Monongahela Republican.)
MRS. JANE VAN VOORHIS.
At the home of her daughter Mrs. Snyder, Baidland, near
Monongahela City, October 29, 1893, occurred the death of
an aged lady, whose lovable traits and christian life endeared
her to a host of friends, young and old.  This lady was Mrs.
Jane Van Voorhis, mother of John Van Voorhis, and sister
of Capt. Robert Phillips of this city. Mrs. Van Voorhis for
some weeks had been a sufferer from grippe, but within a few
days past seemed to regain her usual health and spirits.  Her
granddaughters spent Friday with her and found the old lady
cheerful and well, making merry their day by her lively ways
and witty sayings.  Saturday night she retired as usual; about
one o'clock her daughter, Mrs. Snyder, was called to the bedThe Old and New Monongahela.
side by a moan, and was horrified to find her mother dying.
The physician pronounced it neuralgia of the heart.  Jane
Phillips was born in 1810, was married November 28, 1829,
to Abram Van Voorhis.  Seven children were born to them,
Three of whom have been dead some years. Lucinda, Serena
and Eliza, (Mrs. Thornton Watkins.)
The four living are John Van Voorhis, of this city; Emaline, Mrs. Joseph Brown, of Peabody, Kansas, Mrs. Caroline
Jones and Mrs. Cynthia Snyder, of Baidland.
Since her husband's death, some years ago, Mrs. Van Voorhis made her home near her son John on the old home place
in Carrol township, but at his renloval to town, went to live
with her daughter Cynthia, from whose home in Baidland she
will be laid to rest in fhe Van Voorhis cemetery.
Mrs. Van Voorhis was a frequent visitor with her son's
family here and has made many Monongahela friends.  Her
erect figure and sweet face framed in a, wealth of snow white
hair were always admired, and it seemed as if time had but
lightly touched the energetic, intelligent woman, whose 83
years have been weighted with loving thought and deed for
those nearest and dearest to her. Almost all her life a consistent christian, she sleeps the sleep that the Master giveth
his beloved.
BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF BELLEVERNON, PA.
The Southern Building and Loan Association, of Knoxville,
Tennessee, was one among the first associations established
here by J. P. Miller, Special Agent, and has now nearly four
hundred shares of installment stock, besides some paid up
stock that is drawing six per cent. interest. On February 20th,
1892, Mr. Miller organized this association with S. F. Jones,
President; J. C. Cunningham, Vice President; J. S. Jones,
Treasurer; and Leightty Steen as Secretary, with the following
Board of Directors:  S. M. Graham, Thomas G. Brown, John
C. Lynn, J. S. Jones, J. C. Cunningham, S. F. Jones, Leightty
Steen.
483l'he Old and New AMonongah4ela.
The next association to organize was the First United States
Excelsior Building Association, with office at W. P. Mackey's
store on Main street. The officers were R. J. Linton, President;
Wm. P. Mackey, Vice President; Perry L. Byard, Secretary;
J. S. Jones, Treasurer, with depository with S. F. Jones 
Co., bankers.   This association was short lived, as they were
never able to make a loan; they closed up business in about a
year from the time they were organized as an association, and
failed for want of patronage.
Another thriving association that has gotten a foothold here
is the First National Building and Loan Association, of Pittsburgh, Pa.  Some stock is held here, but no local association
has been organized, but in the near future they expect to have
an organization.
October 7th, 1893, The German National Building and Loan
Association, of Pittsburgh, organized an office here with the
following officers:  J. C. Cunningham, President; Samunel
Brogan, Vice President; P. L. Byard, Secretary and Treasurer;
Medical Examiner, N. Bert Lowman, M. D).; Appraisers,
James R. Ferguson, M. H. Arters and S. M. Graham; Directors, J. C. Cunningham, Samuel Brogan, P. L. Byard, M. H.
Arters, James R. Ferguson, J. O. Springer, John L. Nelson,
S. C. Kelly, C. M. Jones, N. Bert Lowman and S. M. Graham;
Attorney, IHon. Edward E. Robbins, Greensburg, Pa.   This
association started in with 350 shares of installment stock, and
nearly 100 have been added since.
The Cooperative Savings and Loan Association, of Sioux
Falls, South Dakota, was organized under the most favorable
circumstances by Andrew  Linn, Esq., Novemnber 5th, 1893,
with the following officers:  President, J. C. Cunningham;
Vice President, S. M. Graham;  Secretary, Wood Lang;
Treasurer, Jos. A. Cook; depository, First National Bank,
of Bellevernon, Pa.; Appraisers, William Lang, S. M. Graham
and J. S. Jones; Directors, C. Reppirt, L. M. Kyle, J. O.
Springer, E. M. Kyle and John C. Lynn.
484[P1w Old and Ne?vw Xlfononqalheia.
CHARLEROI.
This town is situated on the Monongahela river, in Fallowfield township, Washington county, Pa.  Tlle land was purchased from Robert McKean by the Charleroi Land Company
in 1890, and was laid out by that company in January,
1890, the first lot being, sold March 4th, 1890.  It is now,
1893, an incorporated borough of nearly 5,000 inhabitants.
Its industries consist of one of the largest plate glass works in
the United States, an extensive shovel factory, and Macbeth
 Co. are now, in October, 1893, erecting a very extensive
plant for the manufacture of lamp chimnieys, etc.  There are
five churches, with another in course of being erected.  It has
also a large public school house with 400 scholars within its
walls.  It has also a mammoth coal works in full operation
within its limits.  It has also three first class licensed hotels.
In a word-it is the magic city of the valley.
DEATH OF ROBERT MCKEAN.
He died at his late residence in Charleroi, Washington county,
Pa., October 24th, 1893.
He was born in Kirkuetdbrightshire, Scotland, March 6th,
1826.  In boyhood he attended the schools of his native
parish, assisting also in the duties of the farm.   January 1st,
1849, he married Janet Caird, who was born at New Abbey,
Scotland, a daughter of James Caird, a native and merchant of
the same place, and a member of the established church.
Mr. and Mrs. McKean resided on a farm near New Abbey
for about one year after their marriage, then set sail for
America.   After a voyage of thirty days they landed in New
York in July, 1850.  They proceeded to Newburg, N. Y.,
where they spent about one year, going from that place -to
Johnstown and Allegheny City, Pa., traveling by railroad and
485The Old and New M-onongahlela.
canal.  In 1851 he worked four months on the canal for
seventy-five cents per day. He then moved to Chartiers creek,
about six miles out from Pittsburgh, on the Steubenville turnpike, where he followed gardening for about six years. He
then passed several years at Mansfield, Pa., in gardening and
farming on a place near that town. In 1865 he purchased and
moved on a farm of 220 acres near lock No. 4, in Fallowfield
township, Washington county, Pa., on which in part is situated
the town of Charleroi, where he died.  He in 1890 sold 140
acres of this farm to the Charleroi Land Company which laid
out the town. He was a successful business man and his place
in the new town will be hard to fill. In religion he was a
member of the United Presbyterian Church; and in politics a
republican.  He leaves a large estate.  At his death he was a
member of tihe town council.  He leaves as children, James
S., Postmaster at Pittsburgh; John C., Postmaster at Charleroi; William R., conducting the Charleroi greenhouse; Andrew
C., dealer in real estate in Charleroi; Robert A., civil engineer,
Pittsburgh; Agnes, wife of H. S. Stewart, Pittsburgh; and
Mary, wife of Charles Thompson, of Charleroi.
The funeral exercises took place Thursday, October 26th, at
his late residence, Revs. S. F. Farmer, D. D., H. S. Giles,
of Charleroi, and Perrinl Baker, of Bellevernon, officiating.
Interment private in Monongahela cemetery.
The author knew S. B. Bentley from boyhood and owes
much of the loved history of his native town to his kindness
in furnishing data. Not many weeks before his death, he said
to the author, " Doctor, hurry up your book, or some of us
will be dead before seeing it." Blessed be his memory. The
world has been bettered by his life.
486CON1TE NTS.
Monongahela  Valley........................................................................  
Early  White  Settlers.......................................................................  
Early  Navigation.............................................................................                         8
Monongahela  Navigation  Company......................................................         8
Steamboat Packets....................................................   9
Transportation  by  Wagons................................................................                            11
Early  Farming.................................................................................                       11
Whiskey and Stillhouses...                                                                           14
WVhiskey and Stillhouses...................................................
Historical Address by  J. S. Van  Voorhis, M. D....................................                                  15
Letter from George P. Fulton.                                                                       29
Letter'from    George P. Fulton.............................................................                         29
The Dedication of Public School House, Monongahela City...................   33
The  New  School House  Destroyed  by  Fire..........................................                                  34
Address of Prof. George P. Fulton at the Re-dedication of the Public
School House  in  Monongahela  City..........................................    35
Re-dedication  of  the  School House in  Monongahela  City........................    40
Old   Time School Houses...........................                                     a.....    40
Life of  William              Colhoon....................... I:..............................                        42
Old Time Schools................ 51
Schools in  Later Days...............................................................     57
Horse  Shoe Church, Williamsport,  Monongahela  City................................................. 60
Rev. John Kerr.............  66
The  Church  on  the  Hill..6...............................
Rev. A. H. Kerr.....................................  74
Reminiscencesof 1840.......o............................. 75.
Mrs. Jane  Fulton  Power.............................................................                                77
Dr. George E. Lytle....................................................................                                78
Mrs. Margaret Lowry  Everhart.......................................7...9......       79
Mrs. Sarah  F. Stevenso.............................................................   80
William    J. Markell............................................................       81
Historical Address of J. S. Van Voorhis, M. D., November 15th, 1892,
on the One Hundredth Anniversary of Monongahela City, Pa....  83
West Monongahela................................................             116
Monongahela  only......................................; 117
Monongahela City Methodist Episcopal Church..................................... 118
Cyrus Underwood..................................................................                                 -135
Tra R. Butler.................................................  137
Elias  W atkins.........................................4.............4
Richard  Stockdale......................................                                            46
Mark  Borland.147...........................,...14
Mark   Borland............................................?...............................147
Hon. Alexander  Hervey  Houston....1......................   149
Aunt Margaret Philips.......................................................................   1504The Old and Newqc Jfonvon,qahela.
being her second trip up. The boat could not get further than
Louisville, at which point they embarked on a small boat for
Cincinnati.  Here they found the river too low for any boat,
and they were compelled to buy horses on which they made the
rest of the journey by way of Zanesville, where Colhoun had a
cousin in the person of the wife of the Rev. Culbertson, a Presbyterian minister, with whom they tarried a day.  On his
return he obtained employment in the then small town of
Washington as a clerk inl the store of the late Alexander Reed,
father of C. M. Reed, esq., who kept store on the same corner
which his son now occupies.  Colhoun now had his residence
for the first time in Washington county.  He was married in
1823 to Ruth Clark, daughter of John and Hannah Clark, who
lived midway between Millsborough and Clarksville. She was
born in the same township February 28, 1795.  After close
confinement in Reed's store for two years, William's health
began to fail.  Not being able to work at manual labor, the
physicians advised him to teach a country school where he
would be compelled to walk daily not less than five miles. As
near as we can find out it was about this time he got married,
and moved to a house on the farm of Mr. Harmon, near David
Kerr's, on Pigeon creek, in which neighborhood he taught his
first school.  He in succession lived and taught school at Benjamin Parkinson's, near Dunningsville, at William  Jones's,
near Ginger Hill, and whilst living here he taught at the Dutch
meeting house school house.  From the farm of William Jones
he moved to John McKelvey's, on Mingo, near John Witherow's, a brother of the late Samuel Witherow, who was the
father of John Witherow, of the old blacksmith stand near
Curtin school house.  In the Spring of 1829 lie moved to the
old house that stood where the presenit residence of Robert
Coulter inow stands, then owned by the late I)aniel Van Voorhis, and so long occupied by his son Abraham, now of Illinois.
It was during this summer that he taught his first school in the
famous old log school house near the present residence of Van
Shannon, on Taylor's Run,  This house was the first building
44The 01(/ and iYew M)Jmonqahela.             45
erected especially for school purposes in all that neighborhood,
and perhaps in all the old township of Fallowfield. The
school houses generally in Western Pennsylvania at that time
were " waste houses,  unfit for any other purpose.  This log
house, was the successor of the old house that stood on the old
road leading to Hair's mill, in which Thomas Heslep, of Horse
Shoe, and a Miss Crawford taught. This first log schoolhouse
was built by general consent, and subscription paid by labor in
building it.
While teaching his first term in this house he boarded in the
family of the late Daniel VanVoorhis; was one of the guests at the
wedding of Newton Van Voorhis and Nancy Cooper, which took
place May 28th, 1829. About this time Bowman Shepler was a
terror in the neighborhood, in the way of mischief and tricks,
especially on wedding occasions. He was invited to this wedding ostensibly as a relative, but really for the purpose of appeasing his mischief working propensities.  Bowman was not
slow to take in the situation, and the result was the taking off
the cartwheels and concealing them, with the crowbar, which
were not found until the mowing of the meadow in hay harvest.  Colhoun's health began to decline while teaching in the
old log house. The physicians advised him to seek some outdoor employment in the summer.  Uncle Danny Van Voorhis,
true to his inborn philanthrophy, came to his rescue, and
offered him ground to farm.  But he was no farmer.  Uncle
Danny says, " I will let you have horses to work with and you
caIl get persons who owe you for schooling to plough for you
until you learn how yourself. "
The advice and aid were accepted and for years thereafter
lie did sonime farming in the summer and taught six months in
the winiter.  His teaching was very well received, and especially in the old log house.  His integrity and perfect honesty
won for him the esteem of all with whom he came in contact.
Ilis deportrnent and influence as a teacher wielded no little
power in mnoulding an educational spirit which in after years
aided so much in the adoption of the public school system.
5
454  Ti  Old m,ld 37ew iJMoiwoi?galeia.
During his first teaching in the old log house, among the subscribers to the school none are now living.
Moses Colvin lived in the old house that stood near the late
residence of his grandson, Jay Colvin.  Stephenl Colvin resided
in the old stone house near Hair's old mill, owned by his son,
Lewis Colvin, at his death.  Alexander McAllister, father of
William McAllister, lived on the farm now owned by Enoch
Colvin.  Simon Wilson  resided in the old house which has
given way to the beautiful mansion of John Wilson near the
Horse-shoe Church. Philomen Boyle, the older, lived and
died in the house recently occupied by his son Felix.  Henry
Spharr made his home on the farm nlow owned by our genial
friend David L. Fournier.  Robert Moody was a scholar-his
father lived in the old house that stood near where Newton
Van Voorhis now resides.  Samuel Withrow carried on the
blacksmithing at the stand where his son John now pursues
the same business.  Leech Loyd, Charles Bellanna, and Edward Sprouls, the shoemaker, lived successively in the old log
house that stood near the present residence of Van. Shannon,
recently owned by Abe. Hull. Alex. Frazier, now deceased, of
Rostravor township, Westmoreland county, had a blacksmith
shop near Shannon's site, whilst Behanna lived in the old house.
David Behanna, now of Catsburg, and Nelson Evans had the
only fist fight that ever occurred in this school.  It happened
in some way during a game of town ball.  During one winter
Isaiah, son of Elwood Sprouls, had his leg broken whilst riding
down the hill in a big sled.  He was nicknamed Zedick, and
was, and is no doubt to-day, if living, a queer fellow.
Zedick in some kind of a scuffle having bitten severely one of
the scholars on the arm, concluded that it would be the better
part of valor to escape the coming wrath of the master by absenting himself.  For days he concealed himself in the old
cabin just above the school house, neither going home nor to
school. The boys at noon would start him up from his lair,
and then chase him fox-like to the woods.  He finally flanked
his pursuers by returnitlg arld submitting to a severe whipping
as a penalty for the wrong committed.
46T7e  Old and neV eJJMinonq akeia.         4
James Dickey sent his daughter Elizabeth to the Colhoun
school, both in the old log and the Dickey house. His wife
was a daughter of the late Daniel McComas, whose father,
William McComas, came to this country from Maryland at a
very early day.  Dickey's wife had a brother who moved to
Ohio many years ago. His wife is still living near Rex Mills,
Muskingum county, Ohio, and though nearly one hundred years
old, she has very distinct recollection of spinning flax in the
family of Captain Daniel Van Voorhis; of being present at
the wedding of the older Colvins and Fryes, and more, recently
at the marriage of Newton Van Voorhis.
Among the patrons of the Colhoun school was Daniel Evans,
the wagon maker, who lived on the old road that once led from
Van Shannon's to John Wilson's.  He was poor, but his son
Dan and daughter Sarah were the most apt scholars in the
school. The Crossans were scholars; they lived in the old
house that stood on the run not far below John Wilson.
Philip Crabb sent his sons Philip and Henry.  Philip died
many years ago.  Henry married a Miss Mitchell and lives at
Lock No. 4, surrounded by all the comforts of life, bearing
the name of being one of the most skillful steamboat engineers
on the western rivers. Abram Frye, better known as West's
Abe Frye, was among the most liberal supporters. He lived,
owned and kept tavern at the house now occupied by the heirs
of the late Washington Cooper. His wife was Elizabeth,
daughter of Samuel West, who lived near where Wm. Beazel
now resides. They had nine children; the three oldest were
scholars, viz: Samuel, Orilla, and Mary Anna. Samuel married Nancy, daughter of the late Apollos Speers; their daughter, Mary E., is the wife of Wm. H. Jackman, of Wayne Co.,
Ohio.  Orilla married J. Brinton Nixon; moved to Mount
UJnion, Ohio, where she died in 1875, and he died in 1877.
Mary Ann married Thos. Neblack in 1842. He died many
years ago and his wife January 16, 1883. W. H. H. Degarmo
seemed to be the orphan scholar and butt of the school.  His
marriage was a good one. His eldest son is a prominent min478  he Old an-d New ionongahela.  
ister in the Presbyterian church; the old gentleman is still
living, and has been for many years a resident of the vicinity
of Rex Mills, in Muskingum county, Ohio.  William Colhoun
having resided in the Horse Shoe neighborhood for over five
years, most of which time he taught in the famous old log
house, concluded to change his residence to the old house so
long occupied by Isaac Frye before he emigrated to the west.
This house stood near the present residence of Mrs. Tuman, in
Fallowfield township. Whilst living here he taught in an old
log house just below his residence, thus foregoing for one time
his habit of walking a distance to school. This improvised
school house was said to have been the primitive residence of
the older Abraham Frye, who came to that vicinity in 1771 or
thereabouts. Among his scholars here were such well known
persons as Elder Samuel Frye, John Frye, Solomon Frye, the
poet, Lucy Scott, now the wife of John Spahr, and after whom
was named the beautiful village of Lucyville, on the Monongahela. The Cooper boys were also scholars, whose father,
Valentine Cooper, resided on the farm where the late Thomas
Redd lived, at the mouth of Maple Creek. Here Rezin Frye,
now of Bellewood, received many a lesson that added much to
his success in life. The next year William Colhoun moved
to the Ringland farm, near Jonestown. Whilst living here he
taught most of the time during the winter in an old log house
that stood on the farm of the late Simeon Jackman, in Allen
township.  This house was of more modern style, being built
of hewed logs. It was the same house in which Robert Gaily,
the blacksmith, subsequently lived. It was situated very near
the present residence of Addison Cummings.  Robert Gaily
married Rachel Spahr, sister-of John Spahr. Having carried
on the blacksmithing for some time at this stand, he concluded
to move to Pittsburgh, where he met with more than ordinary
success in his business. He subsequently moved to Clarion
county, where in the oil business he accumulated a fortulle.
A few months ago he returned to the vicinity of his early life
and is now in West Bellevernon.
48IThe Old and New Aifononqahela.
Colhoun's next move was to the Peter Sheplar farm, on
iple creek, now owned by heirs of Esq. Swabe. The common
tool system was now in full operation, brick and stone houses
ring the place of old waste houses for school purposes. The
nous old house on the run had to give way to the Dickey
use, on the Brownsville road.  Colhoun taught more or
is during three years in this house.  He moved next in
ier to the farm of Jerome Grable, on Pigeon creek; taught
o terms in the Greer McIlvain district; two terms in the
mnjamin Dickey school house, near Ginger Hill, and the balce of the time, whilst living here, he taught at the Dickey
use near Colvin's, referred to above, which was the out3wth of the school he taught in the old log house, and around
rich cluster so many reininiscenses of the past.  In 1844 he
termined to leave the vicinity of his first love and those with
tom he had so long associated as patrons and scholars.  In
Spring of this year he iiioved to the Cook farm, near the
I Brown Ferry, in Rostraver township, Westmoreland county.
is said that former tenants had so run down this farm that
thing but briars and other rubbish would grow on the soil.
e people pitied Colhoun and said, " Why he will never pay
rent."  Not long after his coming into their midst, some
the neighbors noticed day after day, the old gentleman and
boys tinkering, as they called it, for days in a field that
~mer tenants had considered not worth ploughing.  One day,'ertain one now living, concluded to go over and see what all
_t kind of work meant.  On coming to the field an unusual
ht met his eyes.  Briars, thorns, stumps, fence corners
re torn in tatters and ready to be burned-the oldest boy
s ploughing a furrow about six inches wide and ten inches
-p, turning up a rich soil that had not been dreamed of in
philosophy of the former tenants. The neighborhood was.onished in the Fall at the wonderful crop; after that year he
s regarded not only as the best school master, but that he
ild teach ally man how to farm.  Whilst living on this farm
taught more or less in the new school house over the Monon49The Old and New ifononycahela.
gahela river, very near the old house in which he had taught
when living in the house on Jacksoni Frye's farm. He walked,
as usual, and crossed the river in his own skiff, which he kept
locked not far above the present Rostraver coal works.  He
was quite a gunner, and very generally carried his fowling
piece as he walked to school.  One niorning, as he drew near
the river, he espied a flock of ducks.  He fired into them, and
was no little astonished to find that he had killed 10 at one
shot.  Henceforth he was reckoned a crack sportsman, as well
as teacher and farmer.
Having by farming and teaching realized some meanrs; his
family also arriving at mature age, Colhoun became somewhat
restless and determined to seek a new home in what was called
at that time the West.  In the Fall of 1849, he sought out and
purchased from John Bigham 120 acres of land in Adams township, Geurnsey county, Ohio, to which he moved his family in
the Spring of 1850.  On this farm he lived until he died June
24, 1871.  He died of cancer in the face.  He never taught
school in Ohio.
In early life lie was rather erect in his stature, measuring in
height perhaps five feet ten inches. He alway wore a swallowtail coat, blue in color, and trimmed with brass buttons.  His
hair was dark and bushy, with toilet not always up to fashion.
He was strikingly temperate as to ardent spirits, but an inveterate
tobacco chewer.  He had by constaint habit worn out the Irish
brogue, and pronounced the English eniphatically correct. He
was a fine penman, speller, and in arithmetic had no superior in
his day. He was always a Democrat; never held any office; he
refused all offices "both small or great;?' he claimed that the
general result of office was to give trouble and make enemies.
His wife died April 30, 1881, on the old homestead in Adams
township, Geurnsey county, Ohio, of old age.
They had eight children, viz: John, Maria, Jane, Rebecca,
Ruth, Andrew, William and Elizabeth. Andrew married Jane
Carr, of Ostrander, Delaware county, Ohio. He died February
1, 1865, in the same count;y, leaving two children.  John mar50)Nw Il Old anvd New iWonaonqkeia.           51
ried Tillie L. Monroe, and have no childrenl.  JanIe married
John Hutchinson and have had six children, of whom Ann died
in 1879.  Elizabeth married Geo. C. Duff; have no children.
William married Jane Bean, of Ostrander, and have five children.  In the spring of 1860 father Colhoun had purchased 227
acres of land near the village of Ostrander, in Sciota township,
Delaware county, to which William  and Andrew moved in
1860, and on which William and his unmarried sisters, Maria,
Rebecca and Ruth, now live.
OLD TIME SCHOOLS.
Personally we were well acquainted with Colhoun, having
been one of his scholars for several years.  Ile taught in the
school house above described for many terms, which extended
from three to nine months.  The terms were from one dollar
and a half to two dollars for three months. The teacher boarding generally around among the patrons.  For those who were
unable to pay provision was made in the way of a poor fund
assessed by law on the rich class.  Taking up school at thle appointed time was announced by calling out on the part of the
teacher, " Books," in a loud tone, which was responded to
promptly, and a tardiness to be in place was severely punished.
The books used in those days were the United States Spelling Book, the English Reader, the Introduction and Western
Calculator.  The scholars were well drilled in spelling, and
the result was seen in the good spellers, that would cast into
the shade the " new fangled " notions of teaching orthography
now-a-days.  The goose quill furnished the material from
which the master made the pens for the scholars.  The ink
was home made from maple bark, sumac, white oak, c., and
occasionally appeared an ink made from what was called " ink
powder," but it was regarded as ani outside "material," not
to be trusted, as it wouldfade. The home-made ink was supposed
to be unfading, and it really seems so, as the writer has in his
possession manuscripts thus written over one hundred years old
mnd not any signs of fade.  The paper used in olden times was
515The Old and New Monongahela.
unruled. It was ruled by a home-made ruler, so called, and a
pencil manufactured impromptu from a bar of lead. Cyphering
on the slate was done with a pencil obtained from the nearest
soapstone. The rocks from which this material was taken was
named the slates. The soapstone was chiseled into pencils with
the famous "Barlow  knife,"  or the  "Elevy "  knife,
with a red bone handle, containing two blades.  The latter
was the rich man's son's knife. The copy was set by the
master, whose competency was measured much according to
his proficiency in making good pens and setting copies.  The
house was heated by a huge wood fire within the fireplace, the
back wall and jams of which were well lined with stone and
mortar so as to be secure from fire.  This fireplace was about
seven feet wide, so that quite large sticks of wood could be
used as fuel.
Notwithstanding the open condition of the house, this fireplace afforded all the heat required to make the scholars comfortable.  The female scholars were dressed in woolen frocks,
long sleeved and close necked, with home-made stockings and
upper leather shoes, wllilst the boys were clothed in hoine-spun
cloth and the comfortable flannel warmus, corresponding to the
blouse of the present day.  There was no recess in Colhoun's
school but the usual hour at. noon for amusements, which consisted in town's ball, corner ball, paddle ball and three-cornered
cat.  Black man's base, "pussy wants a corner" and such
like were indulged in by both boys and girls.  The playground,
called the "camp,"' was the grove of sugar trees across the run
from the school house, where can be seen stumps that mark the
old bases of ball playing long ago. At the door, inside, was a
paddle hung on a tow string, on the one side was pasted the
word " in " and on the other the word' out," when, by permission, a scholar retired during school hours, the paddle was
turned so as to show " out," and when the scholar returned, it
was so changed as to show "in."  The school was governed
altogether by the physical force of the ferule anid rod.  Kind
words were few and terror and fear reignied within every
52Tihe Old and New _Jiononycdhela.
scholar, both great and small. It was within the code of honor
that the teacher should, during Christmas and New Years' holidays, be " barred out," and allowed to regain his place in the
school house on agreeing to treat to apples and gingerbread.
The treat generally was only apples and they were distributed
by throwing them helter-skelter over the floor. And such
gingerbread, when it was given, the like of which can no more
be produced, since old Grand-Daddy Rose and Mother Huttenour have gone.  Master Colhoon one morning, just before
Christmas, arrived at the door and found the latch-string pulled
in and silence reigning within.  He at once took in the situation; he was barred out.  After rubbing his hands a moment,
he at once resolved on barrinq the scholars in.  Going to a
near wood pile, he carried from thence huge logs, placed them
against the door on the outside, which soon created no little
commotion within, and in a short time the door was flung open
--the scholars dispersed.  The latch-string was again hung out
and " BooKs " called, to which all responded, and thus ended
the last barring out of Master Colhoon in the old school house.
The patrons of Colhoon's school were scattered over quite a
large district, embracing many of the older families.  Among
these was Daniel Evans, the wagon and wheelbarrow maker;
he lived on the old road leading froin the late residence of
Abe Huli to the old Horse Shoe Meeting House-a road long
since abandoned.  His sons Nelson, Daniel, Oliver and Simon,
with the daughter, Sarah, were scholars.  Nelson is still living
as far as we know; the others left this country some fifty years
ago. Daniel was very expert in figures, and was regarded by
the school as well as by the neighborhood as a young man of
extra talent, but as far as we can learn his after life did not
crop out as was anticipated.  Robert Moody, son of Samuel
Moody, was a scholar. His father lived in'the old house where
now stands the residence of the late Newton Van Voorhis.
Robert's father was a member of the old Horse Shoe Meeting
House congregation, his name appearing on the subscription
paper for the support of Dr. Ralston early as November
28, 1805.                                          6
53iv.                                         Contents.
The Black--Bentley-King  Families.................................................  151
William  Jones Family.......................................................................  156
The Alexander Family....................................................................'160
Mrs. Rose Ann Davidson......................................              160
Joseph Alexander..........................................................   164--
Death of William  Wickerham   in  1879................................................  165
Death of John  King  in 1881.................................................  168
Death of Dr. Wm.. King...................................................                          170
John E. Shaffer, M. D......................................................................   171
The Walker Family.........................................        176
Samuel Frew.................................180
Death of Mrs. Sarah Wilson.........................................................   180Scott Family.......................,     182
Moses Scott.........................................................   185
Hon. James Scott............................................................................  186
Van Voorhis Family.....................................................   186
Hon. Daniel Van Voorhis.................................................................  191
Isaae Van Voorhis..........................................  199
Death of Mrs. James H. Van Voorhis....                             212
Mrs. Lizzie Van Voorhis Cunningham.............................................   213
The Smith  Family-Dr. Bela Smith.................................                               216
George P. Fulton............................................................                    226
Prof. George P. Fulton's Mother.........................  228
Death of Mrs. Mary Finley..............................................................  231
The Hair Family-James  Hair.......................................................   233
Death of Uriah  Hair........................................................................   238
The Late Rev. G. M. Hair.................................................................   28
The Sample Family........................ 240
Alexander Wilson..............................  241
The Gordon Family...................................................................   245
Jesse  Martin..........................................................                        250
The McFarland Family...............                                                             252
The McGrew Family................................ 254
The Beazell Family--B. F. Beazell..............................................  255
James  K. Marshall........................................................                      260
The Teeple  Family...............................................                               261
Gen. John M. Davis................................................  265
The  Frye Family.............................................................................. 268_
Dr. Mathew  Porter Morrison........................................    274
The Death of Joseph  S. Morrison, Esq................................................                    275
A  Tender Memory..........................................................                      27
Death  of Maj. A, P. Morrison..........................................                         278
Mrs. Eliza Morrison Alexander.......................................................'280
The Morrison Family.................................. 280
Hon. T. R. Hazzard..............                           I                                    281
Dr. Wilson dead..................................                  I....................................... 85:Dr. R. F. Biddle................................................................    -2865The Old and New Jlionongahela.
Samuel Witherow was the blacksmith for more than half a
century in that neighborhood, and was a son of William
Witherow, of still earlier days. Samuel sent to this school his
sons Noah, Alexander, John and Samuel Finley, besides two
or three daughters. i Alexander and Noah died many years
ago. Finley, as he was called at school, is a shoemaker,
residing on the Brownsville road near the paternal blacksmithshop.  John, after going through  a long batchelorhood,
married, and remains to-day a fixture at the old shop where
successfully he still carries on the business after the manner
of his father. This blacksmith shop has a widespread reputation, being one of the oldest in the neighborhood. It was a
shop when iron and salt was transported fromn east of the mountains on horseback. Whenever iron and salt became scarce
families associated in sending in turn a train of horses equipped
with packsaddles, and thus the supply was kept up. With
these exceptions all other things were raised or made at home.
The use of iron was pretty much limited to horse shoeing and
the making of what few nails the richer people might really
need.  Cast iron was used in the form of kettles required so
much in the making of maple sugar-the only sugar then
known to the inhabitanits.
One of the Witherow girls married John Boyd and died
years ago in Carroll township.  Of the others we have no information.  Philip Crabb sent his sons Henry and Philip.  He
lived in the old house above the residence of the late Esq.
Swabb. The old gentleman was among the primitive market
men to Williamsport.  He did not often fail to go with his
marketing on Saturday. He always wore a round-crowned,
white wool hat, and carried his marketing in a round-bottom
basket, on a horse which traveled in a half-trot pace.  He
owned for a long time the farm on which the late Isaac Teeple
died-in Carroll township.  Crabb died many years ago on the
homestead in Fallowfield, leaving a widow who married Peter
W. Shepler.  His son Philip died not long after Collioon quit
teaching in that neighborhood.  Henry became a steamboat
54The Old and New ilWonongahela.
engineer and has followed his trade on the Monongahela most
of his life.  He has earned the reputation of not only being an
honest and upright man, but of being one of the most trustworthy engineers on the Monongahela or Ohio rivers. He
married a Miss Mitchell and now resides at his own home, near
Lock No. 4, in comfort and in the enjoyment of the good
will of all those around him. His head is fast showing the
effects of time and the exposure incident to his steamboat life.
Abraham Frye, generally known as "West's Abe. Frye,"
was another patron.  He lived on the farm now owned by the
heirs of Washington Cooper.  He for many years kept a
tavern which was known as the Fallowfield house, where the
elections were held from time imimemorial to us later day
people.  The private muster, too, was held here on the first
Monday of May in each year. lie had several sons and daughters who were scholars of the old school. Samuel, Abraham,
Florilla and one other daughter, whose name the writer cannot
recall.  Florilla married J. Benton Nixon, and lived in Mount
Union, Ohio, but whether living now we cannot say.  Abe.
Frye, thle father, having moved to a house above Speers' ferry,
his son Samuel courted and married Nancey Speers, daughter of
the late Apollas Speers, granddaughter of IRev. Henry Speers
and great-granddaughter of the older Henry Speers, who died
near the present site of Bellevernon in 1773.  Shortly after
the marriage of Samuel the whole family removed to Sanldusky,
Ohio.  The family seemed to have gone from memory in this
country until a few years ago William Jackman returned to his
father's hlomeestead in Allen townlship, bringing with him  his
wife in the person of Mary daughter of Samuel Frye.
As Daniel Evans was the pride of the school, so was Harrison DeGarrno, its butt.  Not as smart, perhaps, as some other
scholars, he was thli target for the rude in.manner.  He was
picked at, teased and plagued without stint.  He was always
getting into trouble, was constantly under the eye of the teacher
anld ofteni, io doubt, punished without deserving, yet the
scholars were his friends.  Ht carried his dinner in a reticule,
555The Old and New 3ioqongahela.
which was ample cause for trouble. This article of use conformed to the modern satchel. He was an orphan boy raised
by one Jimmy Thompson, who lived in the house still standing
below the residence of David L. Furnier.  Harrison's after life
cropped out far better than many who at school caused his
young soul so much vexation. He married a lady named
Dunlevy in the "Forks of Yough," passed through the late
war as a soldier with honor and now lives with his son, H. C.
DeGarmo, near Freeland, Muskingum county, Ohio. His wife
died in 1887, and one of his sons was killed on the B.  O.
Railroad not long after his mother's death.  Salathiel, the
oldest son, is a Presbyterian minister located somewhere in the
West. He is poor but in respectable circumstances and awaiting patiently the gratitude of the government which, in due
time, will grant him a justly merited annuity for his patriotic
services.
The Crossan family lived in the old cabin which stood near
the entrance to the residence of Wash. Shannon on Taylor's
ruii, below the brick house of John Wilson.  Robert and
Thomas were scholars. The only peculiarity of the family consisted in having a drunkard's reputation and the story was common in school that the Crossans were raised on "mush and
whisky. "
The playground of this school was on the land of Moses Colvin,
who sent his son Vincent and Jonathan Grant of his household
to this school.  Stephen Colvin lived in the stone house near
Hare's old mill.  His sons, Abraham and Stephen, with Sarah,
Mary and Betsy, were among the scholars of Colhoon. David
L. Furnier and sister Susan of the household of Henry Spharr
were in this school.  Henry Spharr lived on the farm on which
David L. Furnier recently died.  Furnier's wife was Betsy
Colvin. John and Isabel Wilson were children of Simon Wilson
who resided a long lifetime on the farm on which John lived and
died, situated near the old Horseshoe meeting house. James and
Elizabeth Dicky belonged to the school.  Their father, James
Dicky, resided most of his lifeoll what was known in early
56The Old and New iloMonongahela.
days as the -McComas farm near Witherow's shop. Edward
Sprouls for a while lived in the old house where now stands the
residence of one of the sons of the late Dutton Shannon.  He
was a shoemaker by trade and did the cobbling for most of his
neighbors. His sons and daughters were scholars in the school.
He finally settled near Bentleysville, where he died many
years ago.  Some of his family still are in the vicinity of that
town. The Hairs, Van  Voorhis and a host of others were
patrons and scholars at this school, some of whom we will
trace in a future part of this work.  Williain Colhoon's successor in this school was a gentleman from the east, kind of
semi-blooded Yankee named Joseph Styles, Jifister not Master
Styles.  He wore a tall, white fur hat, a white starched dickey
with high collar, kept in place about his neck with a stock
made of satin and bristles buckled at the nape of the neck, a
fine blue broad-cloth dress coat with brass buttons, and boots
of calf-skin, made to shine with lampblack and white of an egg.
In all that region he was the first to introduce the study of
grammar and geography.  His scholars in these branches were
Daniel and Sarah Evans.
SCHOOLS IN LATER DAYS.
In the winter of 1834 the Legislature passed the act establishing our present system of public schools. Previous to that
time the territory now embracing Monongahela City and Carroll township was included in Fallowfield, one of the original
townships into which Washington county was divided at its
formation, March 28, 1781. Carroll was formed September
30, 1834, from parts of Fallowfield and Nottinghamn townships;
was originally called Knox, but the Court, Judge Thomas H.
Baird, presiding, for some reason changed it to Carroll.  This
township embraced Williamsport, now  Monongahela  City,
within its limits, as a school district.  It remained thus a part
of the township until the name of Williamsport was changed to
that of Monongahela City, April 1, 1837.
Prior to the formation of Carroll the citizens of Williamsport,
57li7e Old and New Jlfononogalhea.
and the territory taken from Fallowfield, voted at the tavern of
Abraham Frye, on the Brownsville road, beyond the Witherow
blacksmith shop; but in the act creating Carroll, the elections
were ordered to be held at the hotel then owned and kept by
the late Joseph Hamilton, grandfather of the present editor of
the Republican.  At the first township election a board of
school directors was elected, on whom devolved the altogether
new duty of starting this system of schools, based on an equitable assessment of tax, out of which the cost of the schools
were to be paid. We can only recall the names of David Williams and Isaac Van Voorhis as original members of that
board. The directors for the time being divided the new township into convenient districts, as required by the law, using
whatever buildings could be obtained for schoolhouses. An old
log house which stood in a field to the left of the road leading
from Taylor's run to Winm. Galbraith's, furnished one, where a
one-armed man was teacher for the first term; being barred
out, as was the custom, he forced an entrance through the clapboard roof and settled the boys with a severe "overgoing. " It
was a rule that if a master once gained admission he could not
again be barred out during the term.
This master was a severe but successful teacher, introducing
some new practical ideas that were not dreamed of in old time
philosophy. On the hill, above the late Wm. Blythe's residence, may yet be seen traces of an old log cabin, which being
condemned by common consent as unfit for any other use, was
secured for a school house. It was then owned by James K.
Marshall.  It was a retired spot, not even a road, much less
a house within sight; no wonder the proprietor was constantly
complaining of the depredations of the boys. In this waste
cabin an Irishman named Lewis and another man of the name
of Sampson were teachers for a time.  Lewis was Irish indeed,
and his scholars were prone to follow his twang and call have
have, sounding the a long instead a short.  His great failing,
however, was his inclination to drink too much strong drink.
Sam son was a strong, sober man overrunning with conceit,
583The Old and New iononogahaela.5c
wherewithal not a bad teacher. Among the scholars at this
school were James Marshall, now dead, long a resident of
Beaver county in after years; his brother, John, now living in
the same vicinity where he was born; Capt. Robert Philips, a
well known steamboat man and long a citizen of Monongahela
city; McCarty and Thomas Williams, W. J. Markell, the
Stockdale boys and girls, the families of Abram and Isaac Van
Voorhis. The town of Williamsport was divided into two districts.  The upper end attended school in a frame house still
standing near where Keller's foundry stood in after years. For
one term at least Thos. Collins, Esq., was the teacher. The
scholars from the lower end of the town attended school in the
old Methodist Church near the present wharf; the building since
converted into a dwelling and finally demolished. At that time
only a few persons were on what has always been known as the
Island, besides those connected with the glass works on the
point, traces of which still remain.
The brick row now owned by Wm. Coulter was not yet built.
The old frame building opposite this row was the brewery of
Samuel Devore. The old frame house near the school house
referred to was the residence of the widow of the late Elias
Watkins, who was a brother of the first wife of Abraham Van
Voorhis. The old frame house, burned years ago, above the
brick, known in early days as the Swartz house, was the residence of Asher Van Kirk, who carried on the chairmaking
business.  The old tavern house near the mouth of the
creek was among the first buildings on the island after its sale
to James Manown.  By this sale the ferry went into the hands
of James Manown and was no longer the Parkison Ferry.
After grave consideration the Carroll board of directors determined to erect in each sub-district a stone or brick school
house.  The Harlem  house on the Judge Baird farm, the
Columbia, the Horse Shoe, on the road from the Baptist church
to Columbia, the stone house at the forks of the road above
Markell's distillery, one near Ginger Hill, one on the farm of
Samuel Keenan, one on the farm of Isaac Van Voorhis, the.190The Old and -New XlYonongahela.
double house adjoining the old Presbyterian church in Williamsport and the one on the island, long since passed into the
river, were the houses erected under the resolution.  The one
in Catzburg was afterwards determined upon, as the population
increased.  It may be that a house was built near the Dutch
meeting house under the first resolution. The stone school
house, now converted into a two-storied dwelling, was built
by Elgy Van Voorhis, now an extensive farmer and cattle
dealer in Greene county.  The plastering was done by Col. A.
T. Gregg, who taught the first school in the house.  The one
on the farm of Van Voorhis was built by the late David Phillips,
brother of Capt. Robert Phillips; the price was $200.00.
Cheapness was the great desideratum in building, and the
history of these houses attested the iinpolicy of such an idea.
These houses as to comfort were in advance of their predecessors, having board seats and glass in the windows, with
shutters, also a chimney for a stove, an innovation on the timehonored fireplace. The people as well as directors began to
select teachers in some measure on account of their qualifications, although no formal examination was required. The next
series of school houses in this township was frame, excepting
the stone one on the Brownsville road near the residence of the
late Francis Nelson.
HORSE SHOE BOTTOM CHURCH, WILLIAMSPORT (MONONGAHELA
CITY.)
From  the Centennial sermon preached by the Rev. W. O.
Campbell, July 2, 1876, we make the following extracts as
published in the V'alley Record of July 15, 1876':
We are informed that one of the peculiarities of Presbyterianism in Western Pennsylvania, about the time when this government was inaugurated, was its rural character.  The people
were an agricultural people.  They cleared out the wilderness,
they tilled the soil, they pursued the same avocation here that
they had followed at home. The first Presbyterian churches
were not established in the nucleus of the towns and cities, but
60The Old and _VYew olfnongqakela.
in the country places. The Horseshoe Bottom Church, of
which this is regarded as the true linial descendant, was built
in 1785, three and a half miles from this place, on the ridge
road leading to Brownsville, on a farm  owned by Simon
Wilson.  It was a log church and additions were made to it until
it had sixteen corners; part of its foundation is still visible.
When that church was built "there was not a church or chapel,
preacher or priest of any kind in the City of Pittsburgh,"
although the city had been partially laid out since 1765.  The
Church of Horseshoe Bottom preceded the First Church of
Pittsburgh by one year. But the country churches of Montour's
Raccoon, Cross Creek Buffalo, Chartiers and Pigeon Creek were
then large and flourishing. The ministers residing in the country
occasionally supplied the viliages and hamlets with preaching.
The only Presbytery in this part of the county was the
Presbytery of Redstone.  There was no village from Pittsburgh to Brownsville, and none from Pittsburgh to Wheeling,
except a small hamlet at Beaver. The first record history gives
us of this church is found in the minutes of the meeting of the
Presbytery of Redstone, held at Pigeon Creek in 1786, one
year after the Horseshoe Bottom  Church was built, and is as
follows: " The Presbytery conceive that the supplication of
Mingo Creek, Horseshoe Bottom and Pike Run congregations for
a man to preside in drawing up a call for Mr. H. Morrison, Jr.,
cannot be granted for the reason that they are entire strangers
to Mr. Morrison, and know not whether ever lie was regularly
licensed to preach the gospel, nor has he shown his credentials
to any member of the Presbytery.'" In 1789 the first General
Assembly held its meeting, composed of twenty-three ministers
and elders, and had for its moderator, Dr. John Witherspoon.
Again, October 16th, 1792, this church, in conjunction with
Mingo Creek, presented a call to the Rev. William  Swan,
which was declined.  Another call was made out for Rev.
Mr. Mercer in 1793, which appears to have been as unsuccessful as the others. In that year the Presbytery of Ohio
was formed out of portion of the Presbytery of Redstone,
616h2le Old and New 2Y/onongahela.
and this church was transferred to it.  While it was without
a pastor it was supplied occasionally by members of the
Presbytery. The Rev. Samuel Ralston, D. ID., received a
call from this and the Mingo Creek congregation in November,
1796, which he accepted.  In 1807 the organization was
transferred to Williamsport, as this place was then called.
About this time Mr. James Hair was chosen the first elder of
the church. Dr. Ralston preached his first sermon in a small
school house which stood in the rear of the church building that
was occupied before we came to this one. He preached two
years in that house in the winter season; in summer he preached
in a tent in what was known as Bentley's sugar grove. In 1815
it was resolved to build a small brick church 31x35 feet, on
the hill just above the church building lately occupied. In 1816,
April 20th, the services of Dr. Ralston were secured for onethird of his time.  In August, 1816, the first communion was
held in the new church, the-pastor being assisted by Rev. Matthew Brown, D. D., and the elder by Mr. Benjamin Williams,
of Mingo; forty-five members sat down at the table of the
Lord.  In the same month Messrs. James McGrew, Jesse
Martin and Robert McFarland were elected and ordained
elders. James McGrew died in 1855, September 26th, aged
80, having served thirty-nine years.  Jesse Martin died May
27th, 1848, having served thirty-two years.  Robert McFarland died in 1835, having served nineteen years. James Hair
died in 1826, having served about twenty years. The first
Sabbath-school held in this town was organized by Jesse Martin and James Gordan, who reported July 25th, 1823, about
100 scholars.  In 1834 Dr. Ralston resigned his charge here
and gave all his time to Mingo.  He preached here and at
Horseshoe thirty-eight years. At a meeting of the Presbytery
of Ohio, at Mingo Church, April 20th, 1837, the name of this
church was changed to that of the First Presbyterian Church of
Monongahela City.
Dr. Ralston died Sept. 25th, 1851, being 94 years old, a
62Tlhe Old and Newionongahela.
man of logical mind and good classical and scholarly attainments, of great faith and power. This church owes much
gratitude, praise and love to the memory of this good man, and
to the memory of those good elders who have long since gone
to their reward for the labors and sacrifices in its behalf. iDr.
Ralston was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Moore, a stated supply,
who labored here about six months.  On July 30th, 1835, at a
congregational meeting, of which Aaron Kerr was chairman
and Joseph Wilson secretary, it was unanimously resolved that
a new church building should be erected, and a committee
composed of James Gordan, Esq., James Manown, Esq., and
Jesse Martin was appointed to procure a lot for the purpose.
The committee appointed to take subscriptions for the new
church was composed of Samuel Hill, Esq., Isaac Van Voorhis,
James Mercer, Dr. Biddle and Jesse Applegate. The building committee was James Gordan, Esq., James McGrew, Esq.,
and Samuel Hill, Esq. Mr. Hill becoming the contractor for
the building was, at his own request, removed and James
Manown, Esq., substituted in his place.  The cost of the building was $2.100. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev.
Dr. Elliott, of the Western Theological Seminary. Rev. Geo.
D. Porter began preaching to the congregation two-thirds of
his time Oct. 15th, 1835. Feb. 12th, 1836, Mr. Aaron Kerr
was installed, and Messrs. Isaac VanVoorhis and James Gordan were ordained and installed elders.  Mr. Kerr afterwards
removed to Cross Creek, and died June 1st, 1866, being 86
years old. Mr. Van Voorhis died June 4th, 1875, in the 82nd
year of his age, known to us as a good man full of faith and
the Holy Ghost.  Mr. Porter ceased preaching here in February, 1838. The Rev. Mr. Chambers succeeded him as stated
supply, remiaining about six months. Oct. 28th, 1839, Rev.
Jno. Kerr was invited to take the pastoral charge of the congregation two-thirds of his time. He was ordained and installed April 22nd, 1840, and remained until April, 1862, a
period of 22 years. During this time the church grew from
a membership of 90 to 205, the years of greatest increase being
63(Co ntents.                                            v;.
Mrs. M. J. Biddle.........................................................                        289
Samuel Pollock  dead........................................................    90
J. Sutton  Wall........................................................................                   290
One Hundred Years....................................293...........................
Bellevernon............................................                            299
The Presbyterian  Church of Bellevernon.....................................   321
The Cunningham  Family................................................................   326
Bellevernon  Sabbath   School.............................................................. 329
Methodist Episcopal Church of Bellevernon....................   332
Stewards in  Bellevernon  M. E. Church...............................................   343
Free Will Baptist Church........................................................  347
Disciple Church  of Bellevernoii.......................................       351
The First School in Bellevernon...................................... 352
The New  Brick  School House in Bellevernon.......................................   359
Bellevernon Academy.36...................1................... 861
Post Office and  Telegraph.................................................................  363
Newspapers..................................................................................                   365
Glass Works and Business Men in  Bellevernon....................................   366
The Grand Army Post.....................................   368
I.   0.. F...........................................................   373
Other Lodges..................................... 3.........                   375
Natural Gas History  (1887)............376.....................................  376
Bellevernon  Electric  Heat and Light Company.....................   377
Bellevernon  Water Company..............................      377
Bellevernon Bridge Company.......................................       377
First National Bank of Bellevernon.....................................   377
Cleveland  Coal Company.............................                                            -378
Romana Land Company.........379..................      379
Washington  and  Westmoreland  Ferry Gompany...................................   379
-The Militia, Fourth of July, Temperance. Centennial and Railroads.......  379
North  Bellevernon..................................    383
Gibsonton.......................................................................   388
Gibsonton  in  1890..........................................................................    92
Natural Gas.......................................................................................  397
Glass-Works of R. C. Schmertz   Co.....o........................   403
Extracts from Bellevernon Enterprise-S. F. Jones, Robert J. Linton,,
Thomas L. Daly  andJ. S. Van  Voorhis....................                             406
Bellevernon-" All things come to him  who  waits".............................                                410
Address of Welcome delivered by Dr. J. S. Van Voorhis, October 15,
1889, at the Opening of the McKeesport  Bellevernon Railroad
to  Bellevernon....                                              418
An  Opening  Opened and Big Day of Celebration.........426................ 4.
Nathaniel Everson  and Miscellaneous Matters.......................................   430
Speers..............................................................   435
Louis M. Speer........................................................................   437
Death of Col. William   F. Speer............................................                                  442
David Furnier...............................             -4434The Old and New Jionorngahela.
in 1842 thirty-six members, in 1848 forty, in 1857 twentyseven.  In 1843 Mr. Henry Fulton was elected and installed
elder.  He afterwards removed to Washington, and died April
13th, 1869, aged 85 years.  June 29th, 1857, the following
persons were installed elders: Messrs. Jos. Kiddoo, John
Power and James Dickey.  Mr. James Curry was ordained
elder at the same time. Mr. Dickey died Sept. 9th, 1864, and
Mr. Kiddoo Aug. llth, 1870. April 7th, 1862, a call was
made out for the services of Rev. S. G. Dunlap. He was installed Dec. 6th, 1862, and remained pastor until Sept. 29th,
1866, about four years.  Under his mninistrations fifty-five were
added on examination in 1863 anld twenty-eight in 1864.  Mr.
Dunlap died in 1871 at Orrville, Ohio.  Dec. 6th, 1862, Mr.
E. W. Tower was installed, and Messrs. John Wright, Francis I. Gardner and David Moore were ordained elders of the
church.  Mr. Tower was drowned in the Monongahela River
Feb. 19th, 1869, and Mr. Moore died May 11th, 1867.  Dec.
30th, 1866, the congregation voted a call to Rev. J. S.
Stuchell, who was installed May 10th, 1867, and continued
pastor until April 1st, 1870, a period of three years.  Mr.
Stuchell died Oct. 1875.  Oct. 26th, 1867, Messrs. Winm. C.
Shaw, D. D. Yohe and Samuel Hindman were ordained elders.
Mr. Yohe died Aug. 7th, 1868.  Oct. lst, 1871, a call was
made out for the present pastor.  He began his labors as pastor elect Oct. 16th, was installed Nov. 6th, 1871.  At a congregational meeting held January 20th, 1868, it was resolved
to build a new house of worship, and committees were appointed to procure a site and solicit subscriptions.  The building committee were Messrs. Aaron Brawdy, H. H. Finley, T.
R. Hazzard, Esq., John Patterson, James Stockdale, Wm. J.
Alexander, Jas. H. VanVoorhis and Francis I. Gardner. The
present house of worship was built at a total cost of about
$32,000.00. The lecture room was dedicated by divine service March 17th, 1872, the first sermon being in the text John
2, 19.  The house was brought to its present state of completion the next year, and dedicated June 8th, 1873, the pastor
64The Old aind New iMonongahela.
preaching the sermuon from Is. 56, 7, and Mark 11, 17.  He
was assisted in the service by the othler pastors of the town,
also by his predecessor, Rev. J. S. Stuchell, who preached in
the evening.  Messrs. Jas. Van Voorhis and John Patterson
were elected and ordained, and Mr. Hindman was installed
elder January 21st, 1872.  During the present pastorate the
new church building has been built and dedicated to God, 50
members have been received on profession of faith and 83 on
certificate, making a total of 133, an average of 22 each year;
a Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society has been organized and
maintained with a good degree of success; the contributions to
the Boards of the church have been increasing, the greatest
amount ever given by this church being that given last year,
$755. The years which came nearest to that were 1853-'54
and'55.  The contribution of 1853 was $680, that of'54
$535, that of'55 8736.  The growth of the church in spirituality, in the knowledge of the truth, and in grace, in harmony
and peace, in stability and strength, has, I think, been manifest; the attendance upon the Sabbath day is increased in numbers and regularity.  While the prayer meeting is not at all
what it should be, we have both reason to regret the poor progress we have made and we have reason to rejoice at the good
progress made.  We may bless God and go forward.  When
we think of the condition of the church as it was six years ago,
its divisions, its despondency, its depression, the poverty of its
sanctuary, and look upon this church and congregation, its
unity, its united strength, its increased powers of endurance,
the every way improved aspect of its life, its increased interest
in and attention to the word, its beautiful house of worship,
why we can scarcely recognize our old selves.  Yet our progress is not such as we should have made, and our ongoings
are not so great as our short comings.  But notwithstanding
we have great reason for gratitude to God, and for encouragement for the future.
In two days more forty imillions of people will rejoice over
the one hundredth anniversary of this Nation's birth.  Before
6566             The Old acnd New Mlonongahela.
another Sabbath the Nation will have entered on the second
century of its career.  The State and Church, entirely separate
in their organization, happily they are not separate in their
sympathy, they are not here as elsewhere antagonistic. Sundered in organization each has to acknowledge that it has received many blessings from  the other.  Happy the church
which is so entirely left to the enjoyment of its liberties and
the free exercise of its consecrated powers; happy the state
that has received so many benign influences from the religion
of the church; happy the people that are so untrammeled as we
in the enjoyment of our liberties and the exercise of all lawful
powers!  We will search the pages of history in vain to find a
Nation that has entered upon its second century with so fair a
prospect, with so rich anl inheritance.  When we remember
our forefathers who wrought so wisely, who fought so manfully,
devout be our gratitude to God who inspired themr with wisdom
and courage.  Let us be consecrated anew to the cause of that
religion which gave us, and which alone can perpetuate so
great liberties.
NoTE.--Alexander Wilson was installed an elder in 1840. He came from
the First Church of Minersville, Allegheny county, over which Rev. S. M.
Sparks presided. He was for many years the Superintendent of the Sabbath
School and was mnainly instrumental in building it up.
Rev. W. F. Hamilton, nephew of Samuel Ralstonl, D. I), and now Professor
in Washington and Jefferson College, was here as a supply during Rev. John
Kerr's absence in the south, about the year 1851.
Rev. James P. Fulton, son of elder Henry Fulton, was also in charge of the
church as supply in 1850.
Rev. W. O. Campbell, who was installed pastor of this church
November 16, 1871, resigned his pastorate, and, on the 2d day
of February, 1886, Rev. Jas. M. Maxwell was called, and on
June 6, 1886, was duly installed.
REv. JOHN KiRR.
[Written for the REPUBLICAN by request.]
Although not unexpected, our citizens were startled at the
announcement on Monday of the death on Sabbath morninig,The Old and New Monoongahela.
March 20, 1892, of Rev. John Kerr, which occurred at his
home in Parnassus, Westmoreland county, Pa.  He was the
oldest minister, as to ordination, in the Allegheny Presbytery.
Rev. John Kerr was the son of James Kerr, who came from
Northampton county to Washington county in 1800. He was
married to Hannah Mason in 1803. The deceased was their fifth
child, and was born in Florence, Washington county, Pa., December 25, 1813. He commenced his classical studies in the
fall of 1828, in the private school of Thomas Levingston, near
Florence, Pa.  He was a student in the Cross Creek Academy
for three sessions; he entered Washington College in the
autumn of 1830, in the Freshman Class; graduated in 1834,
and immediately entered the Western Theological Seminary.
During the next winter he took charge of the New London
Academy in Chester county, Pa.  Mr. Kerr also assisted during the winter of 1837-8 in the Florence Academy.  In October, 1838, he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of
Washington at its meeting in Cross Creek.  During the winter
after he was licensed he supplied various vacant churches, especially the Mill Creek Church, where he was urged to accept
a call which he declined, preferring to take charge of the Kittanning Academy, preaching in the meantime at Manor, Crooked
Creek and Apollo. Calls was presented at the fall meeting of
Presbytery from that field and Monongahela City.  The latter
call he accepted, anid was ordained and installed pastor of this
church by the Presbytery of Ohio, April 22, 1840. lIe labored in the Monongahela City church for twenty-two years,
declining in the meantime a call from  the Fourth Church of
Pittsburgh.  He declined especially on account of the strong
and united remonstrance against his removal to any other field
of labor.  In 1862 he resigned his pastorate.  During his
labors in this church the membership increased from 90 to 205.
His next field was as stated supply, and pastor-elect for three
years, -of the church of Raccoon.  lHe declinled this call in
order to  engage in city mission work under the care of
the  Pittsburgh  Presbytery, in which  he continued until
67The Old cand New i onong'ahela.
DecemBer 14, 1869.  January 17, 1872, he was installed pastor of the Valley Church, Allegheny, from which charge he
was released in July, 1874, and removed to his late residence.
In later years he supplied different churches up the Allegheny, and by his personal efforts several new church buildings were erected, the last one being at Natrona, where, said
he, "I expect to finish my mission and ministerial work on
earth." He was married in April, 1840, to Miss Anne B. Campbell, daughter of the Rev. Allen D. Campbell. The deceased was
the father of six children: B. B. Kerr, Allen C. Kerr and J. M.
Kerr, all in business in Pittsburgh. Thomas Kerr is an attorney in New York; John Kerr is a minister in Joliet, Ill.; his
daughter Ella married Rev. J. E. Wright, of Germantown, Pa.,
and his daughter Euphemia is deceased. She was the wife of
Dr. C. B. King, a native of this city.
We can hardly realize that the friend and preacher of our
youth has passed away --he whom everybody loved. During
his pastorate in this city, he was held in high esteem  by old
and young.  He was not only valued as a miniister but equally
so as a citizen and Christian gentleman. flis heart and feelings
were warm, and his disposition so mild and pliable that none
feared to approach him.  Settling in this city amidst the exciting times of 1840, he never failed to do well his work as a
minister of the gospel, so as to hold together in unity his coworkers and church membership.  He had around him as advisers such men as elders Gordon, MIcGrew, Martin, Van Voorhis, Fulton, Wilson, Kiddoo and Power.  They, too, have all
passed away excepting Power, and are to-day enjoying together the glories of the immortal state.  Ile not only identified himself with the interests of the church, but incorporated
himself and his interests into everythling that tended to advance
the good of his adopted city and neighborhood.  The twelve
members of his graduating class are deceased, we think, excepting Rev. Hamilton, the Indian missionary.  Among the
class was such names as Prof. Murry, Dr. W. L. Lafferty, E.
S. Graham and Robert Woods.
68The Old and VNew Afonlfionaclhelt.6
The wife of the deceased survives him. The remains were
interred in the Allegheny cemetery.  Blessed be the memory
of such a man.  For much of this sketch we are indebted to
the College Annual and to a personal interview with the deceased not many years ago.                              V.
THE CHuncH ON THE HILL.
At 11 o'clock A. M., Sabbath day, over sixty years ago, let
us enter the old brick Presbyterian Church on the hill, standing in about the centre of the graveyard lot, and take in the
surroundings.  The edifice was nearly square; the carpenter
work was done by Benjamin Ferguson, and the interior was
finished with pine, unpainted; the inside was divided by aisles,
one running up and down the river from door to door and one
leading from the door, fronting the river, back to the pulpit;
on the right and left in going in from the inner door the seats
were at right angles until reaching the main aisle running from
the doors, where the seats were at angles to this aisle.  The
pews, as they are now called, had doors on the end next the
aisle; the owner of, at least one, kept his pew locked, and on one
occasion, having forgotten his key, had, to his own discomfiture,
jump into his seat.  The pulpit was high toward the ceiling,
and a stairway on each side leading to the interior, where a
smoothly planed pine boat-seat furnished  accommodations
to the preacher or preachers; cushioned chairs and sofas were
unknown quantities.  The acoustic facilities of an audience
room were thein believed to be in the height of the pulpit or
platform, having no ideas of the angles of incidence and reflection.  In front of the pulpit was located the clark's desk.
Benjarnin Furguson was "clark" for a long time.  At the
proper time he would rise up, place his elbow on the front of
the desk, holding in his hand Watt's hymn-book, line out the
hymn and start the singing in which all joined in spirit if not
with understanding, believing singing to be an essential part of
worship.  Mr. Ferguson removed west before the old church
disappeared, leaving behind a name cherished by all who knew
him.                                                 7
690Thce Old and New Monongahela.
In a seat on the right and in front of the pulpit was Aaron
Kerr and his family. The old gentleman, leaning on his ivoryheaded cane, occupied the outer end of the pew, so as to
give his stiff limb more comfort by extending it into the aisle.
His family consisted of his wife and several sons and daughters.
He was for years a member of the legislature from Washington
county.  During his legislative career he acquired something
of a reputation in a little speech in which he declared boldly
that "a man should not be disfranchised because he had
a black streak down his back."  This expression at that time
was condemned, but its outcropping has been the adoption of
universal suffrage, without respect to race or color.  He was a
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1838, and was
highly esteemed. He was installed as an elder in this church
February 12, 1836, when James Gordon and Isaac Van Voorhis were ordained and installed.
Many years ago he removed to Cross Creek, where he died
June 1, 1866. His oldest daughter, Susan, was first married to
a Dr. Todd, of West Newton, Penn'a., and her last husband
was Jesse Applegate, of Allegheny county.  She died in
Claysville, Pa., February 23, 1884.  His daughter Phcebe
married James G. Hair, who died at Claysville, Pa., August
10, 1885. She still lives. Amanda married a Rev. Reed, who
died many years ago, leaving a daughter Lizzie, who married
John McCullough, who was a son of Hon. James McCullough,
of Canonsburg, Pa.  Amanda was married to a Mr. Hanna as
her second husband. They are both dead.
Aaron H. Kerr, soIn of A. Kerr, studied Latin and Greek
with Prof. J. D. Mason -in this old church, and subsequently
with Prof. J. P. Thompson, in the old carriage factory, in an
upstairs room. Among the students in this academy were Rev.
John McFarland, who died years ago in Greenfield, I)ade
county, Mo.; Abram Underwood, lately deceased; Dr. A. J.
Davis, of East End, Pittsburgh; Francis Gardncer, of Forward
township, Allegheny county; Dr. J. H. Storer, of Treadelphia,
West Va.; Dr. J. H. Manown, of Kiingwood, West Va.; Dr.
70Ihe Old and New ]Jfononyah/~la.            71
J. S. Van Voorhis, of Bellevernon, Fayette county; J. S. Morrison, now deceased, a distinguished member of the Pittsburgh
bar; Dr. James C. Fleming, of Franklin, Ohio; Robert Officer,
of Baltimore, and S. B. Bently, of Monongahela City.  A.
H. Kerr graduated in old Jefferson College, in the class of
1843, and also was a graduate of the Western Theological
Seminary, died February 27, 1890, in _Minnesota.  He was a
distinguished educator, and minister of St. Peter's, Minnesota.
Hampton was another son of Aaron Kerr.  He was long a
successful merchant of Cross Creek, Washington county, and
died a few years since in that place. Joseph was another son
of Aaron Kerr.  He died April 11, 1891, at Chicago, Illinois.
Isaac Van Voorhis and John Hair, with their families, occupied the back seat to the left of the pulpit.  Of these we will
have more to say in another part of this work. Just in front of
their seat the venerable form of Grand-daddy McCain, with his
family, could be seen.  The family have all passed to the better land.  Margaret married James Hull, who lived for many
years in the old log house which stood- near the present dwelling of Winm. Booth, on Taylor's Run, in Carroll. For a few
years prior to his death, which took place in 1848, he lived on
the farm recently owned by his son Abram in Fallowfield, now
in possession of one of the Shannon boys.  Hugh McCain was
a blacksmith, had his shop, in 1834, on Second street, above
the People's bank; but, in after years, had it in Catzburg,
where he died many years since.  Henry McCain was a stiller
by trade, and as such worked many winter seasons for the late
Isaac Van Voorhis in the old log still-house that stood on
the present farimi of John Van Voorhis, in Carroll.
The later history of the old IHorseshoe Bottom  Congregation and the early history of the Williamsport Meeting
House congregation, were so intimately interwoven that their
interests were for a time identical.  This was especially true in
a financial way.  William Irwin, of Parkison's Ferry, took an
important part, with Michael Power and Samnuel Moody, in
managing the money matters.  Among the archives of that72                JThe Old and New Jlonongaheela.
old church is the following subscription paper. Some of the
names are written in the subscriber's own writing and others
inot
November the 28, 1805.
James Prine.......................................   50
Robert Williams................................................ 2 50
Daniel Vorehas...............................................    3 00
Henry Blythe..................................   1 50
Moses Carr.                                      2 00
William  Witherow............................................ 2 00
William  Fento................................................ 2 17
Jacob Crabs..................................................   2 00
Subscribed December 19, 1806.
James Hair...............................................$3 00
William Prian................................................. 1 00
John Foraker................................       1 00
Then is added  below  a subscription  in  pounds, shillings and
pence:
Henry Shepler........................................ 17s.    6d.
James McKnight.....s............................   7s.    6d.
Hannah Power........................................ 18s.    9d.
John Power............................................   9d.
Jen McCutcheon......................................  7s.    6d.
On  the back  of this  paper is written, in  Dr. Ralston's own
writing,  the  following:   "April  5th,  1806.   Received  from
Samiuel Moody seven pound, one shilling aind ten pence one
half penIny in stipends for the year 1805."    Elder James Hair
had, during the summer of 1806, removed from Berkeley
county, Va., anld among his first duties was to subscribe to the
support of the gospel and deposit the certificate of himself and
wife  from    the  church  of  Middletown,  under  the  signature
of Father Joseph  Glass, pastor.   From  this period to 1811, we
have no record of either the spiritual or financial condition of the
conLgregation,   only that  in  some way, or by some  means, the
place of preaching was changed  to Parkison's Ferry.
In the old Horse Shoe Church there was no pew rerit, but
the subscriptions were called  stipends  anid  proinounced' stceej)ins. "   Seats were free to  all, btut each  f amlily was naturally
inclinied  to  occupy  the  same  seat, and  hence  gradually wasiT/le Old and New ]JM ono,qa/ela.
7 9
originated the idea of families each renting by the year a seat
called " pews " first in the old church on the hill, where the
pew-rent system was adopted. As Esq. Hair was one of the
giants in the Williamsport congregation, so Michael Power was
the giant in the old Horse Shoe Church, where, during his
life, he delighted to worship. He lived on the high hill above
the residence of one of the Shannons, on a part of the farm now
owned by the heirs of Moses Colvin, deceased.  His barn
standing on the highest part of the hill, shortly before his death,
was burned with all its contents.  On hearing of the fire, Dr.
Ralston remarked to a friend that "the individual who fired
that sainted man's barn would die on the gallows." Subsequent events in the eyes of the neighborhood verified the prediction.  His remains, together with a countless host of other
earlier settlers, lie in the graveyard adjoining the old church.
Wm. Irwin, although living in Parkison's Ferry, took an active
part in the old Horse Shoe congregation, and was permitted to
see the church on the hill grow in number and spiritual strength,
and for years in it he occupied a pew.  He built and resided
for some years in the brick house now occupied as a boarding
house by Mrs. Kerr on Main street in Monongahela City.
This house was built on Lot No. 1 in the original plan of the
town, and it was the first brick house in the town.  In what
year it was built we cannot say, but we think in 1802.  William Witherow was a cooper by trade and followed his occupation in a shop not far from the present residence of his grandson, John Witherow, in Fallowfield. Whiskey barrels, churns,
buckets, tubs, wash tubs and pi/dlakest,nst,cs for still-houses were
the kind of vessels generally made. Flour and apple barrels
were in little demand.
We have as early as September 17, 1814, a record that
shows he was a cooper, in our possession, being an old account
book.  He was the father of Samuel, David, Benjamin and
James. Samuel was the father of John Witherow, the wellkndwn blacksmith on the Brownsville road.  He was a blacksmith, as well as his son John. who still holds the old shop and
is one of the substantial fixtures in Fallowfield.vi.                                       Content8s.
Corwin.......................................................................................
J. Westley  Corwin.......................................................................                451
Death  of Mrs. Sarah  A. Springer......................................................  452
J. B. Gould.......................,.......................  458
William   Eberheart...........................................................  456
Dr. David  Porter...................................459....................
Captain  Woolsey.......460
Springer Family............, 460
Andrew  Dunlevy............................................................................. 464
Hazelbaker................................................................................   465
Hazelbaker.                                                               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 465
Thomas Ward and Frederick Cooper.46...................7.....................  467
Captain Joseph Shepler...                                                                   468
Crossed Over the River--Mrs. Robert J. Linton.                                              471
Rehoboth...................................................               473
Death of Mrs. Anna M. Baker.........................................................   474
Hon. George Plumer......................                                                   475
Gibsonton Cemetery............... 479
Long Branc......................                                   479
Speers...    479
Sfock     dale.......................................................................  479
Glassport................................................................................ 480
Col. Sam. B. Bentley.                                                                       480
Mrs. Jane Van Voorhis.482
Mrs. Jane Van   Voorhis....................................................................               482
Building and Loan  Associations in Bellevernon............................                              483
Charleroi..................................................  485
Robert McKean...........,...   48574            The Old and NVew i1onongahela.
Henry Shepler was another old Horseshoe subscriber.  He
lived and died on the farm now owned by Wm. Rogers on
Maple creek. His wife was the daughter of the older Samuel
Frye. Shepler, with his brother-in-law. Sainuel Frye, owned
the old mill on Maple creek, where now stands the mill of
Henry Cooper. Shepler had two sons. Bowman, celebrated
for his love of mischief, moved west long ago, where he died.
Peter lived on the farm now owned by the heirs of Win. Swab,
on Maple creek. He removed west about 1860, and has been
dead many years.
REv. AARON HARVEY KERR
Died at Rochester, Minnesota, February 27th, 1890.  He was
born in Washington county, Pa., January 1st, 1819.  His
father was the late Aaron Kerr, Esq., who for so many years
represented Washington county in the Legislature, and who
for years kept store and lived in the brick house on Main street
in Monongahela City, now owned by Mrs. Stuart, nearly opposite the Episcopal church. The deceased was familiarly
known as Harvey.  He was a brother of Rev. Joseph Kerr,
of Fairfield, Iowa, of Hampton Kerr, of Cross Creek, Washington county, Pa. He was also a brother of Mrs. Susan Applegate, Mrs. Phcebe Hair and Mrs. Amanda Hanna, all well
known in this community.
Harvey was a student of the academy taught by Rev. J. D.
Mason, in the old church on the hill, and of the academy of J.
P. Thomson, in the old carriage factory.  He graduated from
Jefferson College in the Class of 1843, studied theology ill the
Western Theological Seminary, was licensed by the Presbytery
of Ohio, April, 1846, He preached as a pioneer in many of
the early churches of the west, and was for a time connected
with the educational interests of St. Peter's, Minnesota.  He
was married October 13, 1847, to Elizabeth, daughter of the
late Hon. Walter Craig, of Cross Creek, Washington county,
Pa.  The writer of this article was a schoolmate at thd Old
Factory school, and knew him well. In youth he was a manThe Old and NVew  WMononga hela.
of fine physical appearance, tall, erect. and full of vigorous
nerve, fond of a joke, but always carried his religion with him.
He was one of the good of his day, and his many friends of
fifty years ago, will learn of his death with regret. He was
not only a soldier of the late war,, but a soldier nearly all his
life in the army of the Lord. Blessed be his memory.
[From the DAILY REPUBLICAN, July 3, 1888.]
REMINISCENcEs OF 1840.
Last Sunday's Leader is quite off on its guess work history
of the Harrisons, as it relates to Western Pennsylvania, in the
campaign of 1840. It speaks of Andrew Jackson Ogle as
"Spooney Ogle," who earned a national reputation by exposing the extravagance of the White House in Van Buren's day.
It was Charles Ogle, an uncle of Jack Ogle. In 1840 Jack
Ogle was not a full grown man.  He made his first speech
from the balcony of the Monongahela House, in Pittsburgh, in
1844, in favor of Henry Clay. He was elected to Congress
from the Somerset, Fayette and Greene district in 1848, defeating John L. Dawson.  In 1850 he in turn was defeated by
Dawson. He was appointed by Fillmore Charge de Affairs to
Denmark, but died before he arrived in that country.  Charles
Ogle served in the 25th and 26th Congress. Itis celebrated
spoon speech gave him a high rank in the campaign. The
Leade~r names as speakers in that campaign, among others, S.
T. Hurd, editor of the Washington Reporter, J. W. F. White,
J. M. Kirkpatrick.  In 1840 Hurd was not a resident of Washington, and never was editor of the Reporter.  John Bausman
was its editor at that time, and with it printed the I"Rolling
Ball," as a campaign paper. John M. Kirkpatrick did not
graduate at Jefferson College until 1846. J. W. F. White was
a student in Allegheny College in that campaign and Rippey,
I). N. White and Collier were not active politicians in that day.
Rippey was too young and of the age of the other two I cannot
say. Andrew Stewart was then in the prime of his life. The
75The Old and Yew Muonongahela.
more prominent whig speakers of the 1840 campaign in this
county were the Hon. T. M. T. McKennan, Hon. Joseph Lawrence, William McDaniel, and the local lights in this vicinity
were Dr. R. F. Biddle, Wm. Mills and R. F. Cooper, Esq., at
that time acting editor of the Carroll Gazette, which had deserted its neutral ground and came out boldly for Tippecanoe
and Tyler too.  In Allegheny county Hens. Walter Forward,
A. W. Loomis, W. W. Irwin, F. C. Flannigan, W. B. McClure
and Cornelius Daragh were very active in the cause.  In
Westmoreland, Edgar Cowan, then a resident of West Newton,
was the rising speaker in the Whig cause. He made his first
speech in the'streets of West Newton from a canoe, on a
wagon. That speech gave him the start as a stump-speaker.
The campaign was opened in Monongahela City by the great
mass-meeting at'Squire Wall's in Elizabeth township, near
Wm. Penn school house.' The procession left Hamilton's
hotel, preceded by eight men carrying a bark canoe made by
the Indians, and the property of Jack McFarland, who had
long been a trader among the Indian tribes, in what was then
called the far west.  It was very light for its size, and about
thirty feet long, and of a tan color, neatly made.  Dr. Biddle
carried a miniature log cabin and some one, whose name we
cannot recall, carried on a pole a live coon. The meeting was
immense and the pies and cakes were without measure. Cider
for the multitude was furnished free by old Abe Applegate.
The speakers were F. C. Flannigan and W. W. Irwin -well
known as " Pony " Irwin--a member of CoIlgress andc Minister
to Denmark. A full description of this meeting was written
by R. F. Cooper of the Carroll Gazette with special references
to the " old dame with her brood " on Main street, who were
so conspicuous in their criticism of the procession as it passed
up the street. The Washington'Examniner, edited by Grayson
and Kaine, also had a Loco Foco view of the whole affair.  It
was after this great meeting that T. R. Hazzard became a
" Straightout" from the Loco Foco Democratic party and remained in opposition to that party to the day of his death.
76[The Old and New _lMononqa/lela.
The great debate of the local campaign was held in the old
church on the hill. The participants were Dr. John Wishart
and Win. Montgomery, Democrats, against Edgar Cowan and
Joseph Lawrence, Whigs.  There was a daylight and night
session of the debate.  The discussion was a very able one,
but it was conceded that the Whigs had the better of the fight.
The writer has a few manuscript copies of some of the more
popular songs of that campaign.
MRS. tJANE FULTON POWER.
Died at her late residence in Monongahela City, Pa., March
23, 1891.
She was born in West Newton, Pa., November 15, 1814.
She was the daughter of the late Henry Fulton, who was a
ruling elder for many years in the Presbyterian church of this
city. She united with the Presbyterian church of Sewickley
at the age of thirteen years, under the ministrations of Rev.
A. 0. Patterson. She was married to John Power, September
13, 1836, by the Rev. Wm. Annan.  Her husband survives in
his 80th year.  The family of Henry Fulton has been signally
and peculiarly connected with the Presbyterian church.  His
oldest son, Abram, was an elder, and his daughter Jane, the
deceased, married an elder, and his granddaughter, Rebecca--
daughter of Abram-married Rev. Alonzo Linn, L. L. D.,
Professor in Washington and Jefferson College.  Another
granddaughter is the wife of Rev. J. H. Sherrard, of Ohio,
whose daughter Jennie is the wife of Rev. Ewing, a foreign
missionary, Henry Fulton's daughter Rebecca was the wife
of Win. J. Power who for many years was a ruling elder in the
Pigeon Creek congregation, where at this date two of his sons
are serving that church in the same office.
Henry Fulton's son, James P., is a Presbyterian nminister in
Kansas, Harper county, and his grandson, Wm. S., son of
James P., is the pastor of one of the churches in Lexington, Ky.
Rev. Robert H. Fulton, D. D., the youngest son of Henry
Fulton, is pastor of Northminster church, Philadelphia.
1'178             The Old and New Jiiono~nqalhela.
Henry Fulton had three daughters married to ministers.
Sarah, now deceased, was the wife of Rev. J. H. Stevenson,
D. D., of Mount Carmel, Illinois, Nancy married Rev. R. T.
Price, of Scio, Ohio, and Alinira is the wife of Rev. E. P. Lewis,
of St. Paul, Minnesota.  Margaret is the wife of James Means,
for many years a ruling elder in Lebanon Church, Allegheny
county, and his son, Henrv F., is a minister lately in charge of
the churches of Fairfield and Union, in the Presbytery of Blairsville. Henry Fulton's son, George P., deceased, was one of
the most successful educators in Western Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Power, wherever she abode in life, was looked upon as
one of God's own children. Her faith never wavered. It was
an anchor to her soul, sure and steadfast.
DR. GEORGE E. LYTLE.
This estimable young man and physician died at Gallatin,
Tenn., March 6, 1891, at the home of his sister, Mrs. Frank
Pierce. He was 35 years of age, the son of Perry A. Lytle,
Esq., of Forward township. He was educated at Washington and
Jefferson College, read medicine with Dr. Linn, graduated from
Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, in 1876, and afterwards took a special course on the eye. He opened an office
here in 1876, and has since been in the active practice of his
profession, until failing health obliged him to seek relief in a
milder southern climate. Some months ago he went to North
Carolina, but still failing, he went thence to Tennessee and,
sending for his mother, died at his sister's home, with his friends
about his bedside.
George Elmer Lytle was the son of Perry A. Lytle, Esq., of
Forward township, born August 26, 1856, read medicine with
Dr. George A. Linn, of this city, received his diploma as Doctor of Medicine from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia,
began practice when 20 years of age, and returned to Philadelphia a few years later to take a special course on the eye.
He was a successful practitioner from the very beginning, wasThe Old and New.JMononaahela.
popular in social circles, he had the confidence of his clientele,
and in his specialty of the Eye had already won an enviable
reputation.
Doctor Lytle was a member of the Presbyterian Church; he
was a Mason and a Knight Templar. He held membership in
Henry M. Phillips' Blue lodge, in NMonongahela chapter of Holy
Royal Arch Masons, and in Pittsburgh Commandery No. 1.
He was a member of the Order of Forresters; was in the
Junior Order of American Mechanics, and was honored by
being Chief Marshal of the fine parade of 1889. He was a
member of the Order of Solon, and of Guild No. 1 of Royal
Americans.  The Doctor was very fond of the military.  He
entered service as hospital stewart of the Tenth Regiment
National Guards in 1876, and had risen to the rank of Major
and Surgeon of the Tenth, which commission he held at his
death. The regiment had no more popular officer.
Doctor Lytle was intelligent and bright, sympathetic, companionable and honorable.  He had a fund of humor that was
irresistable, and his wit sparkled under the pleasant society of
a circle of friends where he was always welcome. He will be
missed from our city where he was much esteemed, and from
many homes where he was the accepted faimily physician.
MRS. MARGARET LOWREY EVERHART
Died in her home on State street, in the City of Chicago, Ill.,
on Tuesday, April 28th, 1891.
She was a daughter of Mr. James and Mary Plumer Smith,
who removed from Pittsburgh to-Blairsville in the spring of
1827.
He had met with heavy losses in his business and in trading
in the Sciota country of Ohio, which finally overwhelmed him,
and soon after, August, 1829, he died in Blairsville, and his
family returned to Robbstown, Westmoreland county, near
which the father of Mrs. Smith, the Hon. George Plumer,
resided.
7981lke Old and New MJonongaAela.
Amongst the kindly tributes of friendly condolence at the
funeral services of Mrs. Everhart, was one of rarely beautiful
flowers from Mr. George M. Lyon and his sister, now resident
in Chicago. Their grandfather and grandmother, Mr. and Mrs.
George Mulhollan and the Hon. John Cunningham were the
ever kind and sympathizing friends of Mr. and Mrs. Smith in
their day of trouble in Blairsville, the remembrance of which
has always been gratefully cherished by the writer. G. P. s.
MRS. SARAH F. STEVENSON,
Wife of Rev. Jos. H. Stevenson, D. D., died Tuesday, May
26th, 1891, at her late residence in Mount Carmel, Wabash
county, Illinois.
She was born in West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pa.
She was a daughter of Henry Fulton, a well known elder in
the Presbyterian Church in Western Pennsylvania.  Her
mother was Elizabeth Plumer, daughter of Hon. George
Plumer, who represented' Westmoreland county in Congress
for several terms.  He was one of the substantial elements in
the early settlement of Western Pennsylvania. His integrity
as a citizen and his great moral worth as a representative are
still cherished by the descendants of his constituents.
The deceased graduated from the Washington Female Seminary in the Class of 1857, from which institution two of her
daughters have since graduated.  She united in. early life with
the Presbyterian Church of Monongahela City, Pa., during the
ministrations of Rev. John Kerr.  We cannot portray her
Christian character in a truer light than by inserting here a few
extracts from Rev. Dr. Spilman's remarks at the funeral of the
deceased:
"Mrs. Stevenson inherited from her parents a deep, strong,
religious nature, which developed by the converting grace of
God experienced in childhood, and carefully trained and instructed in a Christian home of a positive type.  Her strong,
logical mind grasped the doctrines of the Presbyteria3n Church
o80The Old and New fMonongahela.               81
with more than ordinary clearness and intelligence.  She was
a Christian by the grace of God and a Presbyterian from intelligent conviction and loving choice. Her religious life was
rather quiet than demonstrative.   Its current ran deep, and
strong, and constant.  Her spirit was reverent.  To her the
spiritual side of life was very real; the love of God was real;
salvation was real; Christian obligation was real. She loved
the Bible. To her it was the word of God; it was the daily
food of her soul. She loved the house of God with its worship
and holy fellowship, and never failed to attend its services
when her strength permitted. The interests of Christ's kiingdom
lay constantly on her heart.  The cause of missions deeply interested her, hence she could not rest without a missionary society in the church.  Salvation meaint so much to her, and her
sympathy with Christ and for the perishing world was so deep
and tenlder, that she felt a Christain woman must pray and labor
and give constantly for the cause of missions.  The deceased
was a model minister's wife, deeply concerned in all that pertained to the welfare of her husband's charge.  The spiritual
life of the church, and especially the care of the sick and the
poor, received her tenderest thoughts. The friends who weep
ill this presence to-day and strew her casket with flowers, whose
fragrance is fitly emblernatical of the perfume of her beautiful and useful life, will add your testimony to the truth of
what I say.  But I have occasion to know that Nlrs. Stevenson
is held in like loving, grateful remembrance by other congregations who have felt the benediction of her Christian life. They
in bereavement mingle their tribute of tears and flowers with
yours to-day.                                       J. S. V.
[From the DAILY REPUBLICAN.]
WILLIAM J. MA RmIELL
Died' at his late residence in Mononlgahiela City, Satinuday December 3, 1892.  He was born in 1824, in (G-reensboro, Greene
county, Pa., second son of William and Eliza Markell.  The
family came to Monongahela City in 1830).  In 1842 WilliamThe Old and New X_onongahela.
went into the general merchandise store as clerk, then kept by
his brother, John S. Markell.  He remained in that capacity
until 1847.
In that year he went inlto the glass business for one year and
then went on the Muskingum river as clerk on a steamer, but
he soon afterwards accepted the captaincy of an Ohio river
packet, and boated in that capacity for ten years, closing as
part owner and captain of the Hartford and Endeavor
respectively.  Mr. Markell went west in 1858, and was as far
out as Pike's Peak, and in other parts of the then new silver
country.
Mr. Markell was postmaster of this place from 1857 to 1860,
and was succeeded by R. M. Clark at the election of Mr.
Lincoln.  After his return from the west he engaged in the
tobacco business, then he was clerk at Mr. Kern's store, in the
People's Bank building, and in 1875 in partnership with Elijah
Harrison he purchased the distillery at Minlgo, which they
operated in partnership for several years, when Markell bought
the Josiah Taylor distillery and brewery, which he operated
alone for several years.
Another of our older citizens sleeps with the dead.  A man
whose sixty-two years' residence in our city had made'hirn one
of the best known among the business men of the town.  As
postmaster under President Buchanan, his offlcial life was characterized by probity and courtesy. Socially Mr. William J.
Markell was full of humnor, he always saw the pleasanter side,
and the quiet~ chuckle of his fun pointed mrany a joke.  He was
a member of the P'rotestant Episcopal clhurch, of the Masonic
lodge, and was by political faith a Democrat of the Jacksonian
kind.
Ile had been over the sea twice, and seemed to enjoy telling
of his observations in Europe, as well as of the halcyon days
of his steamboat life, and the experience of his trip to Pike's
Peak in the early sixties.
He was married twice, first in 1852 to Margaret I)ougherty,
by whom he had four sons, William, Edward, (Chllarles and Lewis,
82Tihe Old and New Monongahela.
all of this city.  After his wife's death he again married, in
1880, to Mary Kern, by whom he has two children, Eliza and
NorrhaIl Keys Markell.
In his later life Mr. Markell had suffered from  the prostration of a paralysis.  His family has been tender and kind, his
wife a loving minister at his bedside in all the hours of his illness and suffering.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS
Delivered by J. S. VAN VOORHIS, M. D., November 15, 1892, on the One
Hundredth Anniversary of Monongahela City, Pa.
Abrahamn Decker originally laid claim to the land on which
the upper part of Monongahela City is located.  The title was
based on a Virginia entry and confirmed by patent No. 3783,
bearing the date of August 26th, 1769.  Having passed the
researches and dispute between the states of Virginia and
Pennsylvania, the Board of Property finally declared the title
to be valid.
In the year 1770 the Parkisons arrived from  the east in
search of a home in the wilds of the Mononlgahela Valley and
selected the Decker plateau as a most desirable site, and in
course of time secured the title to Joseph, as above stated. Of
the Parkisons, there were five brothers, viz: Joseph, Thomas,
Jamles, Benjamin and William.  It is in Joseph we have the
most interest.  Our information is that Joseph Parkison married Miss Margaret Weaver, a regular descendent in the Pennsylvania Dutch line.  They had as children, James, David,
William and Mary..
The Deckers had reared their primitive cabin a short distance
above the spring on what is now the Van Voorhis hloinestead,
on Pigeon Creekl, arnd consequently Joseph Parkisori on his
arrival was compelled either to dwell in a tent or enjoy the
hospitality of the Deckers.  The Devore Ferry, authorized in
1775, was in operation on the arrival of Parkison.  It was
known as D)evore's Ferry until 1782, when the landing of
83ERRATA.
Page 148, fifth line from bottom, read 1883 not 1833.
Page 220, twelfth line from bottom, read Harriet, daughter of Dr. Smith,
married John Fuller, late of Connellsville, Pa., instead of daughter of Dr.
Smith Fuller.
Wherever the name Beezel occurs, it should read Beazell.
On page 144, Elias Watkins instead of Watson.
Page 186, sixth line from bottom, read Castellum, not Casteltum.
In eighteenth line from bottom read Ibela instead of Kela.,
Wherever Daily read Daly.T8lie Old and New iM-Jonon,cahela.
Devore on the north side, and that of Parkisoin oin the south,
near the mouth of Pigeon Creek, was established by law as
Parkison's Ferry.  Prior to this date i)evore seems to have
had kind of a private ferry, worked to suit his own will.
Devore had at an early date a store near his landing, which
was a branch of the great store of David Furnier, located just
below Bellevernilon of the present day.
It was about this time in the history of the settlement that
the pioneers realized the necessity of a postoffice.  Brownsville, Bassett Town (now Washington), and Pittsburgh, were
the nearest postoffices.  The offilice was granted and named
Parkison's Ferry.  It is very probable that the keen eye of
Joseph Parkison saw in the Ferry money at no distant day. A
public road had, in 1781, been laid out from  the town now
called Washington to the mouth of what is now First street,
though in the town originally known as Ford street, naIned so
on account of that point of the river being, in low  water,
forded by the traveler.  The established ferry and the newly
laid out road sooIn attracted the attention of the public and
resulted in givinlg the point an importance whicll in a very
short time induced Joseph Parkison to erect on the inew road
his inn, which the older citizens will recollect stood back from
what is now Main street, but fronting the public road, wliich
run diagonally from the mouth of Ford street across the bottom
land and up the hill westward.
It was located on the second lot up froml Stewart's alley.
The old part of the buildinig was log, but the new  additioll,
with its well reinmelbered porch extenditng to -Main street, was
franie.  The log part of,this house was, beyond all question,
the first erected on the site of the town, but Tnot the first on
the'Decker tract, as we have already stated.  The original
settlers generally in the valley selected their new lhonies out
fromn the river.  The value of the river was overlooked in the
terror of Indian depredationls,'which were miore frequent on
the river, where their wigwains were located. Joseph Parkison, with 11no fear of the Iiidian, entered ilnto the business to
succeed.
84The Old and New Monongahela.                85
The increased trade and travel on this route, to and from the
last, of which Joseph Parkison was more cognizant than any
4ther person, owing to his position as inn keeper, was the
)otent incentive to his laying out of the new town of Williams)ort, named as such in honor of his son William. After havng the ground surveyed and a plot tlhereof made, he offered
"he lots at public sale, as will be seen by an advertisement in
an October, 1792, issue of the Pittsburgh Gazette, from which
we extract the following:
" The subscriber has laid out a part of his farm on the Monongahela river, in the county of Washington, at the mouth of
Pigeon creek, opposite Devore's Ferry, into lots for a town,
the sale of which will begin on the premises on the 15th day
of November next."
WASHINGTON CO., Oct. 20, 1792.
JOSEPH PARKISON.
The sale was not very successful, owing not so much to it
being a new  enterprise as to the fact that difficulties still
existed, growing out of the issuinlg of Pennsylvania patents
and Virginia certificates.  In 1796 however, the Board of
Property decided that Joseph Parkison was the legal owner of
the tract of land on which the town was laid.  In pursuance
of such decision, the patent issued August 26th, 1769, to
Abraham  Decker, was given May  l1th, 1796, to Josepl
Parkison.  Encouraged by this decision and confident of success, Parkison determined once more to offer for sale additional
lots in the town.  The notice of this sale for August 26, 1796,
was published in the Tcleygr(l/te(,   a newspaper printed in Washinlgton, Pa., by Messrs. Win. I-unter  Co.  The notice was
in the form of a proclamation and onl account of its interesting
and novel features, we will read it entire:
"WHEREAS, the subscriber has layed out Iotts for a town on
his plaintation, near the mouth of Pigeon creek, on the 26th of
August, Instant, notice is hereby given to all those who incline
to become purchaser or purchasers of said lott or Iotts of this
886             The Old cnd New iWonongah,ela.
special condition, that every of said purchaser or purchasers of
said lott or lotts are to be prevented from erecting or causing
to be erected, any craft, boat or canoe for the conveying of
passengers across the Monongahela river, but the same
is hereby reserved to the subscrib'er or his heirs or assigns,
so far as the claini of the subscriber extends. The hiest bidder
for each lott or lotts to be the buyer.  Any person or persons
purchasing any lott or lotts are to pay one third of the purchase
money by the third day of September next, one third part by
the 26th of November next, and the remaining third part to
be paid on or before the 26th of February next, when the purchaser will receive a sufficient title for each lott or lotts, subject to the payment of one dollar per annum on each lott, to
be payable the lst of October each year, first year due October, 1797.
Any person or persons inclining to have their deed or deeds
before the above described time, may, on payment of the purchase money, immediately receive them.  Notes and security
will be required for the first payment, and failure of making the
second payment, the first will be forfeited to the proprietor,
and on failure of the third paymeint, the first and second to be
forfeited and the lotts to revert to the owner.  Each lott is 60
feet in front and 200 feet deep.  The streets 60 feet wide, and
the alleys extending from the river to the hill, 15 feet wide,
the cross alleys, from 15 to 25 feet wide, according to the situation of the ground.
August 26th, 1796.                    JOSEPHr PARKISON."
In the general plan of the town, a lot of ground was reserved in the centre for a market house and also a lot for a
school house and meetilg house.  By way of publicity to the
sale of lots, Esquire DePew certified that the town was laid
out and lots sold and some built upon, as witnessed his hand
and seal January 11th, 1797.  At this sale of August 26th,
1796, twenty-four lots were sold at prices ranging from $22 to
$239, the total beinlg $1,385.  Onl the laying out of the town,
the old road was superceded by Main street, or Market streetThe Old and Neew _lKonon,gatela.87
as it was originally named. Traces of the old road as it passed
up the hill can still be seen.  The earliest road viewers did not
realize that it was just as near to go around a hill as to run
over the summit, hence all the ancient road paths crossed the
top of the hill rather thani go around it.
The original plot of the town extended from Ford, now First
street, to almost Race, now Third street. The original Parkison  Froman line cut one lot above Race at the river and two
lots at the upper end on the hill.  The tract of land adjoining
the new town at Race, now Third street, was patented to Paul
Froman and sold by him  to Adam Wickerman March 13th,
1792.  On this same tract, or part thereof, Adam Wickerman
laid out Georgetown in 1807.  The Georgetown plot was made
a part of Williamsport by the act of Adam Wickerman in the
following paper:
"I, Adam  Wickerman, do certify that this plot is made
agreeable to my directioin and that I do acknowledge it as a
part of Williamsport, formerly cawled Georgetown, as witness
my hand seal this 23d day of February, 1816."'
The towns had been in separate plots under different names
for nearly ten years, and we can readily imagine the rivalry
and conflicting interests that would spring up between the two
villages.  Prior to this date the lot holders had insisted on and
finally required of Wickerman that he should record it as Williamsport.  This paper was signed by such lot holders as John
Cooper, Patrick Burke, Jolln R. Shugart, Joseph Butler, W.
P. Biles, John Shouse, Michael Miller, Peter Shouse, James
Manown, Joseph Hamilton, Thomas Gordon and others of no
less influence.  East Williamsport was laid out in 1811, by
James Mitchell, an early river trader and active progressive
business man, and was well known as Esquire Mitchell.  The
addition has always been more generally known as Catsburg,
named in honor of Kitty Caldwell and her kittens, whose history
can be related in full by Ex-Mayor R. C. King.  That part of
the towEn known as the Island, tlhough owned by Parkison, was
871ThAe Old and New JWonongahela.
not included within the original town plot. The Island made
by Pigeon creek on two sides and the Monongahela river on
the other, did not foreshadow flattering prospects for an extension of the town, yet in time, and for a time, it has been a
busy hive of industry.
Parkison owned the Island without improving very much
until January 5th, 1829, at which time it was sold to James
Manown by Sheriff Henderson. By this sale the right of the
Washington county side of the ferry passed to the same purchaser. The ravine which reached the river at the mouth of
Ford, now First street, has almost disappeared. Either by inheritance or otherwise, the Allegheny side of the ferry passed
into the Manown family. The Manowns operated the ferry
until 1838, when the building of the bridge rendered it useless.
On many of the lots in the Georgetown addition ground rent
was fixed, but in the original Parkison plot only a small portion
of the lots was finally subject to such an incumbrance.
In the original designl of the town a public square was reserved for a market house, and Parkison intended also a lot
for a meeting house and a school house.  How far his ideas
were executed we shall know by the sequel.  The square was
reserved at the crossing of Market, changed to Main street and
Washington, now Second street; besides the street crossings,
a certain number of feet at each corner was included within
the square. The buildings of Joseph Brown, of the Nucleus
Hall Association, of R. C. King and the People's Bank now
occupy ground intended to be included within the public
square.
The primitive Market House stood in part on this square on
Main, just below Second street.  Our notes do not show at
what time or by what meanls or by whom it was built.  We do
know that it was there in 1834, and it is very likely that it
was erected soon after the incorporation of the town of Williamsport into a borough by the act of April 8th, 1833.  In
course of time this building was removed to Second street
above Main.  The building was erected on brick pillars, anld
88sThe Old caand Newilononqahela.
in not many years after its removal the boys had so far destroyed the columns as necessitated its taking away.   The
building and object were both failures.  The beef shops and
wagons have long since taken the place of Market Houses.
The reserve for a meeting house never cropped out, only in
consideration of a certain sum of money Joseph Parkison and
Adam Wickerman, in July, 1814, did convey to certain trustees
for building a meeting house, the tract of land known in part
as lot No. 72, on which was afterward erected a brick church
building by contributions from all denominations, and on which
was located the primitive graveyard, in which were buried a
large number of the older citizens of the town and surrounding
country, and in which, we regret to say, are the remains of
many of the older fathers neglected because unremembered.
The lot for a school house was forgotten and the scholars of the
impromptu schools had to find shelter for training in whatever
shanty could be found unfitted for any other purpose.
By an act of Assembly approved by Gov. Wolfe, April 3d,
1833, Williamsport was incorporated into a borough. The act
appointed the third Friday in May for the first election, and
thereafter the third Friday of March each year, at the tavern of
Joseph Caldwell.  The elections ordered by the act of incorporation related merely to Borough officers, not changing the
township officers, as the new borough remained in Fallowfield
and Nottingham until September 30th, 1834, and in Carroll
until 1842. By whom the first election was held we can not
ascertain, neither do we know who were chosen officers, only
as we gather from the proceedings relating to the death of
Joseph Parkison.   On the death of Joseph Parkison, the
Monongahela Patriot of April 29th, 1834, published in Williamsport, states:
" DIED-In this borough on Monday night, April 28th, 1834,
at the advanced age of 94 years, Mr. Joseph Parkison.  Mr.
P. was well known to many as the original proprietor of this
place, from whom it received the name of Parkison's Ferry.
Although his death was long looked for, it has cast a gloom
89The Old and New lMononyahela.
over our citizens.  The following testimony of respect from
our town authorities, to the memory of the deceased, was
handed in a few moments before our paper went to press.
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT.
WHEREAS, we have learned with deep regret of the death of
our aged and esteemed fellow citizen, Joseph Parkison, the
original proprietor of this town, Therefore
Resolved, That as testimony of respect to the memory of the
deceased, we will attend his funeral this afternoon at 4 o'clock,
and that it be recommended to the citizens generally to attend
on said occasion.
By order of the council of the borough of Williamsport.
AARON KERR, President.
JOHN BAUSMAN, Secretary.'"
The philology of the name would indicate that Joseph
Parkison was of English de'scent, but of his early history we
have very little inlformation. He was born in 1740, seven
years before General Washington visited Western Pennsylvania,
and fifteen years before Braddock's defeat on the Monongahela
river. He immigrated to this region in the 30th year of his age.
He settled here at a time when the spirit of the Revolution was
quietly pervading the American heart.  He laid out his new
town in perfect faith of the greatness and perpetuity of the new
nation born at the close of the war of Independence.  He died
after seeing his town arise from  a wilderness to take a proud
position among the flourishing villages in Western Pennsylvania.
In early life Parkison was a tall, bony, muscular man, dressed
rather fashionable in the costume of his day, with knee buckles
and shoe buckles, such as these. In his older days he wore
side whiskers, and the well known que of the times.  Sonime
of the older citizens can recall him changed to an old, bent in
form man, sitting on the porch, trembling with nearly a century
of years and waiting the summons to pass through the gate to
the beyond.  Instead of nxeglect marking his grave, the citizens
should long since have erected over it a monument in corn90The Old ancd New Mlononygahela.
menmoration of his deeds of daring in establishing the town in
a wilderness, now a garden of ever blooming flowers.
In 1833 the name of the postoffice was changed to Williamsport, and April lst, 1837, it took the present name of Monongahela City-it ought to have been Parkison City.  We have
failed to obtain from the department the name of the first postmaster at Parkison's Ferry, but it is conceded that as Joseph
Parkison was instrumental in obtaining the office, he must have
been appointed postmaster, and, in addition, from the fact
that he had a store in connection with his inn.  On the arrival of the late Ira Butler and his father's family, in 1805,
Adam Hailman was postmaster, and in 1813 he was still in
the office.  Hailman died February 24th, 1813.  He was
succeeded by Mr. White, father of J. W. F. White, now a
distinguished judge in Allegheny county. He was succeeded
by Geo. Wythe, for many years a business man in the town.
We cannot recall all the successors to Wythe, but we are all
familiar with the names of Jesse Martin, W. S. Mellinger, J.
W. Smith, W. J. Markell, R. M. Clark, Chill Hazzard, Jas.
H. Moore, W. C. Robinson and W. W. Bentley.  Postage on
letters in the early days of the town was rated according to the
distance, three cents, six and one-quarter, twelve and one-half,
eighteen and three-quarters and twenty-five cents for a single
sheet, no matter how large. The custom was not to prepay
the postage, and it was considered a breach of etiquette to prepay. The mail in Parkison, Hailman and White's time was
carried on horseback by post-boys, as they were called. The
old fashioned saddle bags contained the mail.
Although the town had been iilcorporated for nine years, yet
it never had severed its connection with Carroll township as a
general voting district. Before the formation of Carroll township, September 30th, 1834, a part of the citizens of the town
of Williamsport voted with Fallowfield, at the tavern house of
Abram Frye, on the farm now owned by heirs of Washington
Cooper, on the Pittsburgh and Brownsville State road, and the
remaining citizens voted with Nottingham township. From
91The Old and Xew Xonongahela.
September, 1834, to May 26th, 1842, the voting place of Carroll and the borough was at the tavern of Joseph Hamilton,
known as the City Hotel, and stood where now is T. S. McCurdy's hardware store. After the separation the voting place
of the town remained at the same place, but the citizens of
Carroll voted for a time in a little brick office of Thomas Collins, Esq., near the corner of Main and Cemetery streets, in
Catsburg.
In after years the poling place was removed to the RoseThompson house, up the turnpike, a short distance outside the
borough. In the borough, in the course of time, the place
of holding elections was -moved to the Teeters hotel, corner
Second and Railroad streets. The ground on which the hotel
stood is now owned by the railroad company.  On the incorporation of the borough into a city, by Act of Assembly of
March 24th, 1873, three wards were formed, each of which
constituted a voting district.  At the first city election John
Holland was choosen mayor, and Hon. S. H. Huston is mayor
at the present time.
The city embraces a large extent of territory in comparison
with the original design of Parkison. The early business of
the town was transacted on a trading scale, generally only a
very small amount of cash being current. The exports and
imports were transported by means of the pack horse. About
the time the town received its new impetus, after the second
sale of lots, the river became utilized as a means of transportation by crude crafts, called flatboats or broadhorns, now known
as coalboats.  William Parkison was, no doubt, the first to
build such boats at his yard in the " gut," as it was called, at
the mouth of Ford street.  These crafts, loaded with whiskey,
flour, etc., were floated to the lower markets.
The flat, for local use, succeeded such crafts.  Their destiny
was Pittsburgh and up river trading points. They were returned by being pushed with the old time pike pole. The keelboat
succeeded the flat and was used until displaced by the steamboat.  The keelboats always landed at the mouth of Pigeon
92The Old and New Miononogahela.          93
creek, which was not only a convenient landing, but a safe
harbor.  Steamboats never made this point a landing place.
They first landed at the Chess wharf, at the mouth of Ferry,
now Fourth street. The Limetown packet, Ploughman, commanded by Captain Joe Chester, was the first to make regular
landings at this wharf. Then followed the Export, of which I.
C. Woodward was Captain; here, also, the Dr. Pollock boat,
the Moxahala, and others made landings, until the completion
of the Slackwater.
In 1845 the Consul and Louis McLane entered the regular
packet line, and had their landing at the Chess wharf, until the
town council had it removed to the mouth of Washington, now
Second street.  Another avenue of trade was opened up by the
Washington and Williamsport turnpike. The company was
chartered by Act of March 18th, 1816.  It is still called a
turnpike in name.  It was constructed under very great finlancial difficulties, and was only completed by the State coming to
its aid with a liberal subscription to the stock. For many years
this turnpike was on the great route from east to the west. The
older citizens will call to mind the thousands of foreign imigrants who, in the old Conestoga road wagon, wended their
way west, where their descendents now make up the empire of
states between the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
This westward move of imigration was at its height between
1830 to 1840. At this period, for the most part, Conrad
Crickbaum and Frank Manown were running the Ferry at the
mouth of Pigeon creek.  Crickbaum did the work and Frank
took care of the cash, and it would be wonderful if in that
period Frank had not become an adept in the Dutch vernacular.
On the turnpike was established a line of coaches, called stages,
each of which could carry nine passengers and the mail.
These stages were very substantially and nicely finished.
They were drawn by four horses, managed by a driver on a seat
constructed on the upper and front part.  We can only call to
mind two of the prominent drivers, Bob Backhouse and Samuel
Burgess. The stage office and horses were kept at the tavern