GREENSBURG - 525 GEORGE F. HUFF. George F. Huff, banker and operator in coal and coke, now resident of Greensburg, is a native of Montgomery County, Pa., and is of German stock, his ancestors on his paternal side having come to America from Bavaria. On his mother's side he is also of German descent. He is the son of George and Caroline Boyer Huff, both of whom are now dead, and who were respectively natives of Hoof's (Huff's) Church and Boyertown, Berks Co., Pa. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living ; among them, Henry B. Huff, Esq., a banker and oil operator in Bradford County, Pa., and William A. Huff, engaged in the banking business and a resident of Greensburg. George F. Huff was born in Norristown, Pa., July 16, 1842, and when about four years of age was taken by his parents to Middletown, Dauphin Co., Pa., to which place they removed, and where he attended the public schools. They removed in 1861 to Altoona, Blair Co., where he went to school till about the age of eighteen years, when he entered the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company there located, to learn the car-finishing trade, at which he was engaged for some three years. He then, on recommendation of his railroad employers, received invitation to position in the banking-house of William M. Lloyd & Co., where he was occupied until 1865, when he was sent by that company to Ebensburg, Cambria Co., to establish there a banking-house, of which he was made cashier. He remained there a year, meanwhile putting the bank on a firm footing, and was then recalled to the home house in Altoona. Remaining there a year he was again sent out on missionary work, this time to establish banks at Latrobe, Greensburg, Irwin's Station, and Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland Co., which he did, and became one of the firm owning and controlling the same, under the name of Lloyd, Huff & Co. The business of all of these banks was conducted by Mr. Huff, successfully at first, but in the panic of 1873 they were overwhelmed in the general disaster, on account of the extending of aid by Mr. Huff to others connected in business with him. Immediately thereafter, or in 1874, the Greensburg Banking Company was organized, and Mr. Huff was appointed cashier. This banking-house under his management enjoys the full confidence of the public, and does a large and flourishing business. In 1871 "The Farmers' National Bank of Greensburg" was established, with a capital of $100,000, Mr. Huff being made its president. But in 1873 he resigned his post, the bank being at that time reorganized, Gen. Richard Coulter becoming its president, and Mr. Huff being unanimously elected its cashier. In consequence of the general depression in business incident to the panic of that time it was deemed advisable to remove the bank to Pittsburgh, where, legislation having been obtained to effect the purpose, it - 34 - was re-established as the " Fifth National Bank of Pittsburgh," Mr. Huff being chosen one of its directors and elected as vice-president. He has since severed his official relations with that bank, though a stockholder thereof, on account of the increase of his banking business at Greensburg, and because of various other enterprises in which he is interested. Aside from his banking business, Mr. Huff is extensively engaged in the mining of bituminous coal and the manufacture of and shipping of coke, being interested with Gen. Coulter, under the firm-name of Coulter & Huff, and with the Argyle Coal Company, George F. Huff & Co., the Mutual Mining and Manufacturing Company, and with Gen. Coulter and the Hon. James C. Clarke in the Greensburg Coal Company. Mr. Huff was instrumental in organizing and establishing the United Coal and Coke Company, which does business in Westmoreland County, and of which he is a director. In the operations of these several companies many hundred persons find profitable and steady employment., March 16, 1871, Mr. Huff married Henrietta Burrell, daughter of the Hon. Jeremiah Murry Burrell, deceased, formerly president judge of the Tenth Judicial' District of Pennsylvania, and subsequently United States associate judge of the Territory of Kansas, and who died Oct. 21, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Huff have been the parents of six children, two of whom are living,—Lloyd Burrell and Julian Burrell. CAPT. JAMES J. WIRSING. Capt. James J. Wirsing, of Greensburg, is the son of John and Mary Shafer Wirsing, and was born in the township of Donegal, Westmoreland Co., Nov. 9, 1840. His father, who died in 1852, was the son of John Wirsing, a native of Germany, who migrated in manhood to America about 1790, and some time thereafter married at Philadelphia Catharine Elizabeth Althart, a native of Germany, whose acquaintance he made on board the ship which bore them to the country, and after living a while in Westmoreland County settled in Somerset County, on a farm near Petersburg, upon which he had a vineyard, of the fruits of which he made wine. He was, however, by trade a cooper, and was also an itinerant Methodist preacher, who worked at his trade during secular days, and preached here and there on Sundays. He was the father of several children, all of whom are now dead excepting one, Mr. Henry Wirsing, an aged man, who resides in Somerset County, Pa. Of the children above referred to was one named John, the father of Capt. Wirsing. He was born Jan. 7, 1798, and growing up became a farmer, and remained such during life. Dec. 18, 1821, he married Mary Shafer, daughter of Peter Shafer, pf Westmoreland County, 526 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. by whom he had nine children, seven of whom are living : Peter, deceased; Catharine, intermarried with John Kooser, now of Iowa ; Eliza, who married W. R. Hunter, Esq., of Donegal, Westmoreland Co.; Harriet, the wife of H. M. Millhoff, of Donegal ; Margaret, deceased ; Thomas, now living in Illinois ; John S. ; Jeremiah, a resident of Somerset County ; and James J. Capt. James J. Wirsing received his early education in the common and select schools of Donegal, and learned the plastering trade, and just after arriving at majority enlisted a company of soldiers for the late war in Ligonier Valley, and was chosen lieutenant. The company reported to Harrisburg, and there drilled for a while, when it selected the Eighty-fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry as the one to which it desired to be attached, and joined the regiment at Arlington Heights in the latter part of September, 1862. The regiment immediately proceeded to the seat of active war, at first joining the Third Army Corps, under Maj.-Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, and participated in various battles, among which was the fearful fight at Fredericksburg, as well as the battle of Chancellorsville, in which Lieut. Wirsing was shot twice, through the leg and hip. The loss of the Eighty-fourth Regiment was so severe at the battle of Chancellorsville that, together with its prior losses, it came off that field with only about one hundred and fifty men and officers, Lieut. Wirsing being furloughed for sixty days on account of his wounds, and returning home. What remained of his regiment eventually went with the army to Gettysburg, on the way to which place, at Edwards' Ferry, on the Potomac, Lieut. Wirsing rejoined his command. At Gettysburg he and his men were detailed to protect the army trains in the rear. After the battle of Gettysburg they crossed over into Virginia and went into camp. At about this time the Third Army Corps was disbanded, and one division of its forces was placed in the Second Army Corps under Gen. Hancock. To this division belonged Lieut. Wirsing, who, in August, 1863, was promoted to a captaincy. He thereafter participated in many battles, being engaged in all of those of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, etc., on till Oct. 4, 1864, when he was severely wounded through both shoulders and his left thigh, and left in the field for dead, but was taken up by the enemy and carried off. After being held for nine days, during which he was confined in Libby Prison, being comfortably cared for by a detail of Union soldiers who were prisoners also, he was, under a general agreement between the government and the Confederacy whereby soldiers unfit for duty for three months were exchanged, paroled and sent to hospital at Annapolis, Md., where he remained till December, 1864, and then received leave of absence from the War Department, returned home, and being unable to rejoin his regiment was honorably discharged in January, 1865, as "a prisoner of war," under a clause of the agree ment above referred to between the government and the Confederacy, and Was therefore never duly " exchanged." Since the war Capt. Wirsing has been engaged in various avocations, and is now conducting the business of insurance. At the fall election of 1878 he was chosen treasurer of Westmoreland County for the period of three years, and entered upon the duties of his office Jan. 1, 1879, and ably and honorably fulfilled the same during his official term. June 5, 1867, Capt. Wirsing married Miss Lottie Fluke, daughter of William and Elizabeth Moore Fluke, of Bedford, Pa. Capt. and Mrs. Wirsing are the parents of six children, the first five born in Mount Pleasant, and the sixth in Greensburg. Their respective names are Myrtle, Edgar, William F., Herbert, Mary Elizabeth, and Ralph. DAVID WILSON SHRYOCK. David W. Shryock, Esq., of Greensburg, is a native of Westmoreland County, and was born in 1816, eight miles north of that borough, upon a farm which his grandfather purchased in 1782, for "forty-five pounds, Pennsylvania currency," the deed of which is registered on page 55 of volume i. of Westmoreland County records of deeds. His ancestry on his paternal side were German. John Shryock, his great-grandfather, with two brothers of his, and with other German Palatines, landed in Philadelphia in 1733. He settled in York County, Pa., where he died in 1778. On his maternal side Mr. Shryock is of English descent, his ancestors having been of the number who constituted one of William Penn's colonies. They settled in Bucks County, Pa. His grandfather, David Wilson, served several years in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Shryock, being the oldest of four brothers and three sisters, like all in the days of his childhood born upon farms, was put down to hard work from boyhood. Until he attained his majority he had to content himself with such limited means of education as the very common schools this part of the State afforded sixty years ago. At the age of twenty-one years he struck out for himself in the world, and spent most of three years as a member of an engineer corps in the service of the State of Indiana, and which was engaged making preliminary surveys and locating lines which have since been utilized by corporations in building some of the railroads in that State. At the age of twenty-seven years he married a Miss Dickie, daughter of a worthy farmer in the county, and to gratify the wishes of his parents he took up his residence at the old homestead, where he conducted the farming operations for several years. In the fall of 1850 he purchased the office of the Westmoreland Intelligencer, a weekly newspaper, published at Greensburg, and the organ of the old Whig party in the county. He moved to town, and on the 8th of November, 1850, the first issue under his editorial GREENSBURG - 527 conduct of that paper appeared. The construction of the Pennsylvania Railroad through the county was then in progress. The heavy work in the vicinity of Greensburg brought there a large increase of population, which gave a new impetus to its growth and enterprise, making dwellings and suitable business houses scarce. For several years Mr. Shryock, like all other new-comers, labored under inconveniences from this source, but in 1855 he purchased a lot on Main Street, adjoining the Methodist Episcopal Church, from which a previous owner had removed all the antiquated buildings. On this he erected that year the large two storied brick now there, and which he designed for his dwelling and printing-office mainly, but had in it also a law-office and storeroom to rent. At that time it was among the best and most modernly constructed houses in town,—the first dwelling with a metallic roof,—and has doubtless yielded the owner the largest revenue on the original cost of any building in the place. Mr. Shryock subsequently changed the name of his paper to that of the Greensburg Herald, and from the time he entered upon his editorial career up till 1870, twenty years, his was the only organ in the county to antagonize the old Democratic party, which up to, 1860 was in the majority from one to two thousand votes. Some of the gubernatorial and Presidential campaigns between 1850 and 1870 were very heated, and sometimes bitter and personal. During that period there were times very trying to those at the head of public journals, who realized the responsibilities of the position, and felt the necessity of moulding a right public sentiment on all the questions before the country. The editorial columns of the old Herald bear ample testimony to Mr. Shryock's faithfulness in the position he occupied, as well as fearlessness in the advocacy of the doctrines of the party with which he affiliated, and his true loyalty to his country during the four years of civil war. He seems to have had the confidence and respect of his party in an unusually high degree. He was made one of the delegates for the Twenty-first District to the National Republican Convention of 1860, where he voted for the nomination of Mr. Lincoln, after casting his first ballot for Mr Cameron under instructions from the State Convention. In August, 1862, after the passage by Congress of the first internal revenue act, Mr. Shryock was commissioned by the President assessor of internal revenue for the Twenty-first District of Pennsylvania, then embracing the counties of Fayette, Westmoreland, and Indiana. This office imposed upon its incumbent unties of the most laborious, responsible, and perplexing character. Here was a new law to execute the provisions of which were new to everybody. Worked for war purposes every branch of business in this country. In its exertion the assessor and his assistants were the first officers to come in contact face to face with the people, allay their prejudices, and try to reconcile to and secure their prompt compliance with the law. Nor was this all : there were no decisions, explanations, or instructions, based upon the law to guide them in determining the true meaning of its elaborate and multifarious requirements. And yet justice and uniformity in its interpretation were expected at their hands. For over four years he discharged the duties of that office, and at the same time edited and published the Herald. But his loyalty to the Republican party and its pronounced doctrines, and his refusal to indorse Andrew Johnson and those who became his special exponents and had practically, left the party, among them Senator Cowan (in aid of whose election as senator -Mr. Shryock had given his best endeavors), procured the latter's removal from office. Soon thereafter Mr. Shryock associated with him in the publication of the Herald his son, John D. Shryock, who was then chief clerk in the Soldiers' Orphans' School Department at Harrisburg, under the administration of Governor Geary. His son's health, however, failed, and he died in October, 1871. Soon thereafter the health of Mrs. Shryock, the mother of his six children, gave way also and she died. Under these afflictions Mr. Shryock disposed of his newspaper to two gentlemen, who immediately united it with the Tribune, which had been started eighteen months previously by J. R. McAfee, Esq., and since the early part of the year 1872 the Tribune and Herald has been a weekly organ of the Republican party in the county. Then for the first time in his life Mr. Shryock was practically out of business for four months. However, in May, 1872, he was appointed and confirmed collector of internal revenue for the old Twenty-first District, and entered upon the duties of that office on the 21st of that month. This position he filled till Oct. 1, 1876, when the district was divided, and ,the counties composing it were consolidated with the Twenty-second and Twenty-third Districts. Meantime he had again married, in March, 1874, Miss Martin, of Northumberland, and the fell destroyer had carried away his second daughter at the age of twenty-three, his only remaining son at the age of twenty-one, leaving him but two daughters, the eldest married, and the youngest, the latter also passing away at the age of sixteen years in November, 1877. He was now just where he was as to family thirty-four years previously. In January, 1878, he and his wife removed to Mount Pleasant, an old town, twelve miles south of Greensburg, in the coking coal region, where, associated with two other gentlemen, a private banking-house was opened, he taking charge of it as cashier. In the three and a half years he remained connected with that enterprise they built up a nice and remunerative business, the house gaining the confidence of the public to as large an extent as he could possibly have hoped. For several reasons, among them the fact that the location and surroundings *ere not deemed comfort- 528 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. able and healthful, on account of the sooty atmosphere, produced by the vast and constantly-increasing quantity of coal being converted into coke, Mr. Shryock resolved to change his base. In September, 1881, he, with a number of other gentleman of large means in the county, subscribed the stock and organized "The Merchants' and Farmers' National Bank of Greensburg." Selling all his interest in the "Mount Pleasant Bank," Mr. Shryock returned to Greensburg, and was made cashier of the new bank, which opened for business Oct. 24, 1881, with a paid-up capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, to the interests of which he is now giving his undivided attention. An earnest man, he is conscientious and zealous in all he undertakes. And although while he was engaged in politics his antagonisms with his fellow-citizens of the Democratic party were at times sharp, yet he has in that party some of his warmest personal friends, who esteem him highly for his integrity and generous social qualities. In religious faith Mr. Shryock is a Presbyterian, having united with that church in early life. At the age of thirty-three years, in 1849, he was chosen and ordained a ruling elder, and has exercised that office in his church ever since. In 1857 and in 1866 he was honored with a seat in the General Assembly as one of the commissioners from his Presbytery. He inherited a robust constitution from an ancestry of strong mental and physical development, and long-lived, some of them reaching the age of ninety-five years. Now in his sixty-sixth year, weighing over two hundred pounds, he is as strong and active on his feet as many men at forty. He and his most estimable wife have a very comfortable and attractive home, in a pleasant part of the town, where, by their cheerfulness and proverbial hospitality, they make the many friends who visit them full welcome and happy. J. W. MOORE. Mr. J. W. Moore, whose portrait 'appears in this book, resides in Greensburg. He is a gentleman well and favorably known in the business circles of Westmoreland and Fayette Counties, in which he has large coal and coke interests, especially in the coke-works of J. W. Moore & Co. in South Union township, Fayette County, called the Redstone Coke-Works. The following description of the Redstone Works is taken from the "History of Fayette County" : " These works, owned and operated by J. W. Moore & Co., are situated about 'three miles south of Uniontown, near the railroad leading from that town to Fairchance. The property embraces about six hundred acres of land, with a frontage of nearly two miles along the railroad. A part of this land was purchased in 1880, and the construction of ovens then commenced. On the 1st of May, 1881, seventy-five were completed, and ninety-five have since been added. It is the intention of the owners to increase the number to three hundred. " The mine is entered by a slope or ' dip-heading,' with a grade of one foot in twelve, and has been extended to six hundred feet. Three hundred feet from the entrance is the first fiat-heading, which extends southward, and from this another 'runs parallel with the slope-heading. " Several blocks of houses, each containing eight rooms, and intended for use of the miners, have been built at the works. A large brick store-building has also been erected. Two stone quarries have been opened on the property near the oven-beds. The location of the works is near the head of a mountain stream, which furnishes an abundant supply of pure water. The coke manufactured here is contracted for by J. D. Spearman Iron Company, in Mercer County, Pa." HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP. ORGANIZATION, BOUNDARIES, ETC. HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP was organized April 6,1773. Its boundaries, determined by the judges of the first Court of General Quarter Sessions, were : Beginning at the mouth of Crabtree Run and running down the Loyalhanna to the junction of the Conemaugh River ; thence down the Kiskiminetas to the mouth thereof; thence with a straight line to the head of Brush Run ; thence down Brush Run to Brush Creek ; thence with a straight line to the mouth of the Youghiogheny ; thence up the same to the mouth of Jacobs Creek, to the line of Mount Pleasant township. Its present boundaries are north by Salem, northeast by Unity, southeast by Mount Pleasant, south by East Huntingdon, southwest by South Huntingdon, west by Sewickley, and northwest by North Huntingdon and Penn townships. 1 1 By act of 14th March, 1845, that portion of the township of Hemp. field which lies south of the Big Sewickley Creek was attached to and directed to thereafter constitute a part of the township of East Hun. tingdon, and that the said creek should thereafter be the division line between the said two townships. In 1872 a part of the division line was changed between Penn and HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP - 529 The township contains some very fertile land, and an abundance of coal underlies its soil. It is well supplied with schools and churches and other evidences of well-defined civilization and intelligence. The officers chosen at the first township election were John Brown, constable ; Samuel Miller and Alexander Thompson, overseers of the poor ; and Wendell Oury, supervisor. Its citizens are of an industrious and prudent character, as were their ancestors before them, who left to their posterity the excellent characteristics they possessed. The first settlers were nearly all Germans, mostly from the eastern and southern counties, with some direct from the fatherland, and all of the Lutheran or Reformed faith in religion. Among them were John Harrold, the Brinigs, Froelichs, Henrys, Rughs, Allemans, Drums, Ottermans, Marchands (from Switzerland), Benders (now called Painters), Kunkels, Longs, Gaugweres, Detars, Rosensteels, Millers, Snyders, Turneys, Fritchmans, Mühlisens, Klingensmith, Myers, Steinmetz, Strohs, Altmans, Thomases, Barnharts, Mechlings, Haines, Buergers, Urics, Trubys, Rohrers, Williamses, Huffnagles, Ehrenfriedts, Alshauses, Hubers, Kemps, Reamers, Keppels, Alwines, Kiehls, Smiths, Silvis, Kemerers, Kifers, Shrum, Whiteheads, Saams, Byerlys, Eisemans, Clines, Walthours, Baughmans, Detmars, Wageles, Colts, Grosses, Seaners, and others. These worthy pioneers constituted no inconsiderable part of the hardy and substantial people who gave character to this part of Westmoreland, and from them have descended many of the most prominent citizens of the county, and others who have removed to distant parts of the United States. HARROLD'S. OR ST. JOHN'S REFORMED CHURCH. This was one of Rev. John William Weber's original churches, and its congregation, with that of Brush Creek, divides the honor of being the oldest of the Reformed faith in Western Pennsylvania. Balthazer Myer, a German schoolmaster, gives us the names of children baptized by himself before they had a minister, together with their age and the names of parents and sponsors. The first on the list is Peter, born 11th September, 1771; baptized Aug. 2, 1772. Parents Anthony Walter and Elizabeth. Sponsors, Frederick Reiss and Susanna Elizabeth Alteman. The last child he baptized was Susanna, born 30th May, 1782 ; baptized June 4, 1782. Parents, John Rudolph and Christina. Then follows a list of children baptized hi Zion's Church by different ministers. Of these the first child was John Adam, born 27th November, 1784; baptized 25th December, 1783. Parents, Adam Myers and Elizabeth. Sponsors, Peter Eiseman and Anna Barbara. Hempfield townships for the convenience of the people in school and other purposes. The point commenced on the farm of George Deter, and ran to that of J. H. Orr, in Hempfield township. Rev. John William Weber became pastor in June, 1783, and the first child he baptized was Daniel, born 19th November, 1782 ; baptized 8th June, 1783. Parents, John Harrold and Barbara. sponsors, William Altman and Barbara. The Lutheran pastor at this time was Rev. Anthony Ulrich Lutje. The first record of Lutheran communicants was in October, 1791, under the pastorate of Rev. John Michael Steck. In 1785 a warrant was taken out by Michael Rugh and Anthony Altman for one hundred and fifty-eight acres for church and school purposes. This was recorded in 1789, and a patent issued the same year. Before regular preachers came to this section, the German schoolmasters, like Balthazer Myer, led the religious services of the people, reading sermons and conducting the worship on Sunday, and teaching in the school during the week. Among these lay teachers were Michael Zunsel, George Bushjager, and Charles Sheitler. One hundred and eight acres of the land was sold in 1793 to Rev. A. U. Lutje for sixty pounds, which proceeds went to the joint coffers of the Reformed and Lutheran congregations. 'The remaining fifty acres, with church and school-house, by agreement mutually signed Sept. 24, 1791, was to remain from that Clay forever the joint property of both the Lutheran and Reformed organizations, " to be used for church and school purposes till the end of the world.", The property was intended from the first for the joint use of the two churches named, but the patent was issued to the Lutherans only. To satisfy the Reformed party a bond was given in their favor to cover their rightful claim. It was signed by Valentine Steiner, William Altman, Anthony Altman, and Jacob Seanor, and was for three hundred pounds, and was made to Jacob Painter and Nicholas Alleman, in trust for the Reformed Church. On Nov. 28, 1819, a deed was made for this undivided half by Jacob Haines and Jacob Miller to Barnet Thomas and Peter Baum, Reformed trustees. The first building erected on these church lands was a log school-house, to which was afterwards added a dwelling-house, connected therewith by a covered hall. In this schoolhouse worship was held, and even after the log church was built, owing to the want of stoves or heaters in it, public services in cold weather were held in the former. Extensive repairs to the old and first house of worship in 1794. The log church was begun and raised to the height of the first story, but owing to Indian troubles it was left standing in that unfinished condition for years. Before anything was done again towards resuming work upon it the sprouts and underbrush had grown up inside the structure, so that the ground had to be cleared off the second time. The church building was spacious, but had but one door. The floor was made of puncheons, and the seats of hewn logs. There was a gallery open in front on the right hand side, which had rough 'seats, and to which a rude stairway led. At first there was only a plain table serving for an 530 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. altar. The original pulpit, after the wine-glass pattern, is now in the Mühlisen Church. It was a shaky affair, that creaked and rocked and swayed a good deal as you mounted its lofty height. It was surmounted with a small sounding-board painted in blue color, with a canopy showing the sun, moon, and stars in white. The window-glass of the church were often broken, and the windows left unrepaired, so that the squirrels and birds had free access to the inside of the church. And they were frequently seen sporting about and diverting themselves, as well as the younger part of the audience during the hours of regular worship. In course of time a new school-house was built, in which in severe weather worship was held. In 1828 George Eisaman moved into the schoolhouse, and next year he built, on a lease, a tenant-house, and in 1850 the barn was erected. On May 28, 1829, the corner-stone of the present stone church edifice was laid. Bernard Thomas and Jacob Haines were the building committee. It was dedicated in 1830, when Revs. Voight and Switzerbart were present with the Lutheran and Reformed pastors. The building was repaired, papered, and painted in 1855. Its graveyard, the oldest in the county, was enlarged in 1867, and the new portion regularly laid out in lots. The first pastor, Rev. John William Weber, came from Northampton County, and first found a home in a log cabin on Garrett Thomas' place till he secured a more suitable place. He then purchased a farm for himself on the Sewickley, late the property of Col. Israel Painter (now deceased). There he resided till his death, in July, 1816. His remains were interred iu the Mühlisen graveyard, and the resting-place left unmarked for fifty years. In 1874 the church and his relatives jointly erected a neat monument to his memory. Rev. Henry Habliston, of Baltimore, was pastor from 1816 to 1819. His successor, Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, D.D., entered upon his duties in October, 1819, and served it for threescore years without interruption and with a large measure of success.. BRUSH CREEK REFORMED CHURCH. At an early day in the primitive settlement of this county members of the two German Churches were accustomed to meet in assemblies at Loutzenheiser's and Davis', where they held religious services and offered divine worship. These services were at first conducted without a minister, and consisted in singing from their German hymn-books, reading the Bible, and offering prayers from their German prayer-books, and hearing sermons read from sermon-books by the schoolmaster. In 1783, Rev. John William Weber became the first pastor. At the advice of Dr. David Marchand, a native of Switzerland, the early settlers on Brush Creek took up for church and school purposes one hundred and eighty-two acres of unseated lands. This was a portion of a tract of three hundred and forty-seven acres, of which Dr. Mar chand had himself entered one hundred and sixty-five acres, now Mrs. Walfhour's farm. A patent was accordingly taken out for the above land in Dr. Marchand's name Nov. 14, 1792, he having advanced the money meanwhile in older to secure this property for the two German churches. He made a deed to the two congregations on July 20, 1797, for £28 12s. 6d., the money before advanced. The first building erected was a log school-house, which was used as the first house of worship. It was afterwards burned while the people of the neighborhood were absent, having temporarily left their homes on account of the Indian troubles. Subsequently the first church was built. It was a structure of hewn logs, with only one door, and that at the gable end. Its floor was of puncheons, the seats hewn logs ; there was no pulpit, no gallery, and a common table served for the altar. Aug. 17, 1816, the corner-stone of the present brick edifice was laid, but it was not completed until 1820, when it was dedicated by the Lutheran and Reformed pastors, assisted by Rev. Henry Gerhart, of Bedford, who preached the sermon. Subscriptions towards its erection having fallen far short of the sum needed, John Shrum and Adam Baughman, trustees, were authorized by an act of the Legislature to sell eighty-two acres of the church lands. These were sold in parcels at from fifteen to twenty dollars per acre. The church lost five hundred dollars by getting into a lawsuit with the contractor for the brick-work. Jacob Dry did the carpenter-work. April 27, 1864, the Legislature authorized the selling of forty-one acres of the coal underlying the church land. The proceeds of this sale amounted to five thousand three hundred and thirty dollars. The present commodious dwelling-house was built by Peter Whitehead and Michael Baughman, trustees. The church was inclosed by a good fence, and the graveyard enlarged. Ornamental shade-trees were planted, and other serviceable improvements made. A new pulpit, with altar space and platform, were erected. Some years after a new roof was put on, new seats and windows made, and other needed improvements added. In 1870 a nine-hundred-dollar pipe-organ was put into the church. Rev. Weber's pastorate extended from June, 1783, to July, 1816. During the early part of his labors here it was necessary for each man to carry his trusty rifle along to church, in order to protect the people from the sudden surprises and savage attacks of the hostile Indians. A rifle company, to which Samuel Adams belonged, kept itself in readiness' at an hour's notice to march to the relief and protection of the settlers from the stealthy foe. Catechization by the pastor was in those early times generally held in private houses. Young people came from the Kiskiminetas River, from the Alleman settlement in Butler County, and from Puckety Run to be taught the gospel way of salvation. Many would stay during the winter's course of instruction with their friends or hospitable Reformed families HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP - 531 till after they were confirmed in the faith of their fathers. It happened once that during the week before Easter, when the catechumens had assembled there in the old church with their venerable pastor for their two sessions a day, the place was unusually cold. He directed the shivering boys and girls to build a brush-heap near the church, and then fire it during the intermission between forenoon and afternoon sessions. And around its blazing heat they warmed themselves till, at the call of the old minister, they piously returned to resume the afternoon services. Bonnets were not then worn by the young women who attended these classes, nor at church. A clean kerchief neatly put on was the female headgear then. And if, perchance, aged mothers or some matronly dames of prime years could cover their heads with a wool or beaver hat, they thought themselves dressed in most fashionable style. But if some of these would possibly wear their hats to church, they would invariably lay them aside on going to the communion, and would wear only their neat white caps. Mr. Weber's successor, Rev. Henry Habliston, served from 1816 to 1819 as pastor, and was succeeded in October of the latter year by Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, D.D., then quite a youth. He preached some sixty years. The joint constitution of the two congregations—Reformed and Lutheran—who hold this property was adopted when the corner-stone was laid. -It is recorded in George Keck's record-book, given in 1806 for the purpose of keeping the church registry. At that meeting John Shrum was president, and Jacob Eisaman secretary. George Burger transcribed the documents. This and Harrold's Church are the mothers of many surrounding churches, and have sent forth to the West and elsewhere hundreds of pious families, who in other fields have become laborers in the great religious vineyard. ST. PAUL'S, OR SEANOR'S REFORMED CHURCH. It is not known when St. Paul's congregation was organized, but its territory was in June, 1783, included in Rev. John William Weber's missionary field of labor. He died in July, 1816, and at some time during his pastorate he established this congregation. It is certainly older than the Mühlisen, or Milliron, congregation, which was organized in 181213. The article of agreement by which the latter's church property was conveyed is dated March 6, 1813. Before Mr. Weber's death there was a log church rudely built and furnished, on the present site of the Seanor Church. It was not finished until in the same year (1816) Rev. William Weinel became pastor. He was a schoolmaster and organist in Northampton County, and studied theology under both the older and younger Dr. Becker, the former of Baltimore, the latter of Northampton County. His pastorate lasted until 1828 or 1829, when he resigned and moved to the northern part of the county. It was then served for four years by Rev. Nicholas P. Hacke, who, in 1832, was succeeded by Rev. H. E. F. Voight, right from the fatherland. He continued to January, 1862, but for the five .years previous Rev. L. H. Kefauver had supplied the congregation with English preaching. Rev. H. W. Super was pastor from April, 1862, for three years, followed in January, 1866, by Rev. George H. Johnston for a year. After this it was served by Rev. T. J. Barkley for nine months. It was then attached to the Mount Pleasant charge, and served by Rev. J. H. Sykes for one year. In the fall of 1868, Rev. N. P. Hacke, D.D., was appointed as German supply, and Rev. T. J. Barkley as the English. This arrangement continued one year, when Rev. L. B. Leasure became- supply for one year. At the end of this time the congregation was for the second time attached to the Second Greensburg charge, under which, in November, 1870, Rev. John W. Love became its pastor. A good brick church was built in 1837, and this was replaced by the present brick edifice, erected in 1875, both owned jointly by the Lutherans and Reformed. The officers of the congregation in olden times were William Beck, Tobias Long, Adam Truxel, Samuel Pool, George Hawk, Lewis Long, George Albright, Jacob Fox, Peter Miller, Abraham Long, and John Knaughman. Among those still or lately living who served as elders or deacons are John Truxel (of Greensburg), Jacob Mechling, Frederick Long, John Hartzel, John R. Kingdig, Isaac Fox, John Sell, Levi Fox, Harrison H. Painter, Davis Truxel, Jonas Miller (the last two of Pleasant Unity of late). From 1870 to 1876, the membership increased from forty-two to sixty-two. TOWNS, VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. LUDWICK adjoins Greensburg, and is generally taken for a part of the latter, especially by strangers. It is a separate municipality, however, it having. received corporate honors Feb. 17, 1859. It is a flourishing town, and its close proximity to the county-seat gives it a value not enjoyed by other towns of more general importance. It takes its name from the owner of the tract of land on which its site is located, Ludwick Ottoman, sometimes written Otterman. 1 NEW STANTON. This village is located seven miles southwest of Greensburg, on the Clay pike. It was laid out by Benjamin Snyder on the' old " Glade Road" leading from Somerset to Pittsburgh, in the beginning of the century. His plan of the place recites that he laid it out at the earnest solicitation of a number of enterprising and industrious citizens. In 1870; it had but one hundred and forty-five inhabitants, and its 1 There has been from the earliest usage of this word an arbitrary spelling. Of the authorities consulted there is a disagreement, not reconcilable. The first form appears to have the preference, and in all probability was hie correct name. 532 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. buildings were old and dilapidated. Since then its progress has been rapid and many elegant buildings have been erected. Its excellent school edifice was erected in 1871. At that time John Sell was the principal merchant and carried on the tannery. J. Steiner had a tinning establishment ; J. Moore & Son, a saddlery-shop; and Harry Byers and J. C. Steiner, boot-and shoe-shops ; Dr. R. E. Fulton was the physician; and H. P. Horbaugh, the druggist. Trinity Reformed Church.—In 1872 a few Reformed people and others living here requested Rev. John W. Love, the Reformed pastor at Seanor's and Greensburg, to preach here once a month. He consented, and every four weeks preached in the after• noon or at night in the old Union Church in the summer, and in the school-house in the winter. The corner-stone of its edifice was laid June 12, 1875, Rev. W. W. Moorhead, of the Greensburg Presbyterian Church, preaching the sermon, and Rev. John W. Love conducting the other services. During the summer a neat Gothic frame church was built, furnished, and a bell placed in the steeple. It was dedicated Nov. 14, 1875, when the following ministers officiated therein : Revs. W. C. B. Schullenberger, of Scottdale ; D. B. Lady, of Mount Pleasant ; A. E. Truxel, of Somerset; J. W. Love, L. B. Leasure, and Lucian Cont. On December 12th following the congregation was formally organized with the following meThbers: John Sell, Melissa Sell, Tobias Long, L. Gumbert, B. Gumbert, I. V. Huff, Nancy Huff, Sarah Lowe, Jacob Cochenhour, Hettie Cochenhour, Rachel Brandt, Lidie Brandt, Samuel Pool, Harriet Pool, James F. Stanton, Kate Stanton, John H. King, S. M. Powell, Maggie Powell, Urias Matthias, H. H. Byers, Nancy Byers, and D. G. Smith. All of these except John and Melissa Sell and Mrs. Kate Stanton were received on application or certificate from other churches and by confirmation, most of them being heads of families. The establishment of this congregation is owing largely to the liberality and influence of John Sell, who furnished nearly half the means for and devoted much time and labor to the erection of the church. MADISON BOROUGH. March 1I,1876, the petition of the citizens of Madison village, in the township of Hetnpfield, for incorporation was filed in the office of the clerk of the Quarter Sessions Court. In the petition the limits and boundaries of the proposed borough were formally set forth. The grand jury at the February sessions of that year passed on the petition, and returned it to the court favorably. On Oct. 3, 1876, the court decreed that the village should henceforth have corporate privileges, designated a day to hold the first elections, appointed Philip Fisher to give notice, Philip Fisher to be judge, and Anthony Ruff and Samuel Davidson to be inspectors, and made the borough a separate school district. ADAMSBURG BOROUGH. The town or village of Adamsburg, by certain boundaries marked and designated in the description, was incorporated into a' borough by act of Assembly, 5th of March, 1841. The citizens who might vote were to hold their first election at the brick schoolhouse on the third Friday of the next April. For the first election Jacob Gosser, Jacob Stiner, and John Melville were to give notice, or any of them, and perform all the duties enjoined upon constables. OTHER VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. Paintersville is on the Southwestern Pennsylvania Railroad, and is a growing place of note. Middletown lies in the southeast part of the township, in a rich and fertile section. Grapeville is located between Greensburg and Adamsburg, in a region very early settled. Arona is a pretty hamlet near the Sewickley township line, and has several shops, stores, etc. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. GEORGE W. CROUSHORE. George W. Croushore, of Grapeville, was born in Hempfield township, Westmoreland County, March 16, 1841. He is of German descent, and the youngest son of George and Margaret (Baughman) Croushore. His father died when he was about four years old, and his opportunity for an education was confined to a short period, most of his time being spent in farm-work. When thirteen years of age his mother abandoned the farm, and George went to live with his brother Henry, with whom he remained one summer, working in a tannery. He then engaged in brick-making, which he followed for three years, and afterwards worked at the mason trade for a like period. In 1861 he purchased the farm upon which are his present home and large tannery. To the work of farming and tanning he has since devoted himself, and his labor has been rewarded with financial success. He was married Sept. 14, 1864, to Sade Allshouse. Their living children are Margaret E., Henry G., William B., John H., Charles C., Herbert L., and Franklin H. One child, James O., died in infancy. When a youth Mr. Croushore united with the German Reformed Church, and has always been a worthy member of the same. CAPT. JOHN SMAIL. One of the hard-working, successful farmers of Westmoreland County is Capt. John Smail, of Hemp-field township. He is of German descent, and is the son of Peter and Sophia.Smail, natives of Northampton County, who emigrated to Westmoreland near the close of the last century. They are a family of HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP - 533 farmers, Peter, his five sons, and two sons-in-law all being engaged in that business. John was born Feb. 15, 1804, upon the farm where he now resides. His opportunities for an education were such as the district schools of that period afforded. He learned the business in which he has been engaged all his life "by working at it." In 1822' he married Catharine Huber, and by her he had twelve children, seven of whom grew to maturity and resided in Westmoreland County. Sophia died Oct. 4, 1862, and in 1863 John was married to Mrs. Hettie Baer. They had one child, Emma Clara, who died in infancy. Mr. Smail never held any political office. He derives his title of captain from his election to that position, which he held for three years, in the "Brush Creek Militia." He is a useful member of the Lutheran Church, to which organization most of his family belong. By careful attention to business he has accumulated enough property to give each of his children a good start in life and support him in his declining years. His industry, integrity. and gentle bearing have earned for him the respect of his neighbors. FRANKLIN McCALL. Franklin McCall, a gentleman of Irish parentage, has resided in Hempfield township, Westmoreland County, for a quarter of a century. He is a native of Allegheny County, Pa., the son of William and Barbara Shank McCall, and was born in 1817. His father, William, was an inn-keeper and farmer, a much respected and valuable citizen, and a valiant soldier in the war of 1812. He died. in 1866, at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. Franklin learned the business of farming, which he has followed all his life. He has a well-cultivated farm, and of late years has gained some notoriety as a breeder of thoroughbred stock. His life has been one of well-directed industry. He is thrifty, open, and liberal with his means, ready to assist others. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and embodies many Christian graces. He has an amiable disposition, is hospitable and charitable, and honest in purpose. He is a Republican, and attends elections regularly, casting his vote as a matter of duty, but has never been an office-seeker. He married Rachel Sowash, a native of Westmoreland County. They have no children. DANIEL GAFFNEY. Mr. Daniel Gaffney, of Hempfield township, is of Scotch-Irish descent on his paternal side. His grandfather, Edward Gaffney, came to America early enough in the last century to participate in the war of the Revolution, and was therein engaged under the immediate command of Washington, and finally settled in South Huntingdon township, Westmoreland County, on a farm on which he continued to live until his death. Of his family of several children, William Gaffney, the father of Daniel, was one. He learned the trade of boat-building, and pursued various avocations in life. About 1823 he married Sophia Howard, daughter of Nicholas Howard, of Westmoreland County, by whom he had twelve children, of whom Daniel Gaffney is the seventh son, and was born March 22, 1837. Mr. Gaffney attended the subscription and free schools in his youth, and at about thirteen years of age he was hired out by his father to a farmer for the summer months at three dollars a month. The succeeding two years he was again hired 'Out for increased wages, but not being satisfied with farming at that rate of wages, he, at about sixteen, betook himself to the business of drilling wells in Greensburg and elsewhere in Westmoreland County. In 1854 he spent several months in Maryland in the same business under others. He eventually took up the business• for himself, and followed it for several years, at one time going to Illinois to put down wells there. Thereafter he was connected with several flouring-mills, particularly that at what is now called Paintersville.1 In June, 1859, there occurred a severe frost, which destroyed the cereal crops of Westmoreland County, and made milling dull. Mr. Gaffney returned to well-drilling for a year or so, and was then engaged by Col. Israel Painter to superintend his salt-works in Hempfield township. He remained with Col. Painter as superintendent for about two years, and then leased of him the Fountain Salt-Works, in the above-named township, which he conducted for a year with financial success. Mr. Gaffney dates his subsequent fortunate business life from that point as the first step, from which he went on through several changes in avocations, mainly fortunate, until he became, in January, 1881, the owner of the Painterville Salt-Works, which are in full operation, and which, with a farm in South Huntingdon township and other possessions, enables him to feel himself comfortably situated in life. In 1859, Mr. Gaffney married Eliza L. Ryan, daughter of John Ryan, of Hempfield township, by whom he has had ten children, eight of whom are living,—William Mentor, Clara May, Sarah Blanche, Mary Etta, George Edward, Van Orion, Anna Kate, and James Allen. In politics Mr. Gaffney is a Democrat. He for, merly belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife and daughters are members. MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. AREA. .THE township of Mount Pleasant was the designation of one of the townships of Western Pennsylvania while yet the whole of the Province west of the eastern line of Somerset County was included in Bedford County. Its boundaries at that time, however, did not coincide with those by which it was distinguished at the organization of Westmoreland. The old tax-rolls of Bedford County showed that Mount Pleasant contained 83 landholders, 13 tenants, of whom not one was married. The township took in a large and scarce definable region around the town now of that name. When the county of Westmoreland was erected in 1773 the limits of the township were of great extent. As they were then defined they were as follows : "Beginning where the Loyalhanna breaks through the Chestnut Ridge and running down the Loyalhanna to the mouth of Crab-Tree Run, and up the same to 'the main (Forbes') road; thence with a due course to Braddock's road; thence with the south side of that road to where it crosses Jacobs Creek, to the line of Fairfield township." Its limits did not undergo any material alteration till the erection of Unity township in 1789. At that time the portion severed from the old township and erected into a separate one was in extent something larger than that portion left. Thus it is that many of the first settlers and men of prominence who wee put down in the township lists, and who were identified with township limits, were actually residents Of that part of the township which lies next the Loyalhanna. BOUNDARIES. It is surrounded by the townships and natural lilies as follows : on the north by Unity township ; on the east by the Chestnut Ridge, which separates it from the township of Donegal ; on the south by Fayette County; on the southwest by East Huntingdon ; and on the northwest by Hempfield township. POPULATION AND VILLAGES. Its population by the census of 1880 is 4224, which does not include the borough of Mount Pleasant. This shows an increase of 1675 over the population of 1870. It has few villages within its borders, not mentioning the borough of Mount Pleasant and its suburbs, viz., Bridgeport, Laurelville, and Ridge-view. TOWNSHIP TAX-LISTS IN 1783. The names of the land-owners were as follows : William Anderson. Simon Acre. John Armel. Christopher Amalong. Moses Alason. Samuel Bradley. John Baird. James Brownfield. John Bradley. John Briney. Henry Branker. Hugh Bay. William Brine Conrad Byers. Martin Bush. James Black. Ephraim Blair. Charles Campbell Ralph Cherry. James Clark. Jacob Carver (inn-keeper). George Campbell. George Crawford James Crawford Philip Coast Capt. James Clark. John Crawford. Conrad Colemore. Samuel Coulter. Robert Cochran. Martha Cain (widow). John Craig. Alexander Craig. Brissila Carter. Elizabeth Dilworth (widow). Elias Davis. John Eger. Thomas Elliot. Joseph Egar. Garet Fiscus. John Fiscus. Charles Fiscus. Thomas Fletcher. William Findly. James Gutery, Jr. James Glenn. William Grier. James Gutery, Sr. John Giffen. H. Graham. Nathaniel Hurst. John Hunter. George Hendery. John Hutcheson. James Hunter. John Jameson. William Inman. John Jack. Robert Jameson. Patrick Jack. Charles Jonston. A. Jenkins. James Johnston. Robert Kees. William Kilpatrick. Christopher Lobingier. Christian Laver. Bartholomew Laver. Moses Latta. Samuel Lewis. Abraham Lasure. Mary Lechery (widow). Jeremiah Lechery. William Lechery. John McCibons. Capt. John McClellan. William McMaster. Hugh Martin. John McClure. Barnabes McCall. James McMaster. Robert Marshall. John McKee. Thomas McCay. Daniel Morrison. Thomas McClanahan. Alexander McKiney. James McMullen. Matthew Morrison. Andrew Mitchell. George McDonal. James Marshall. George McClellan. Francis McGuiar. John Moore. William Maxwell. Robert Newell. Hugh Nealy. John Nichols. William Neale. William Nichols. Robert Nichols. Josiah Newell. Arthur Ohara. Samuel Peebles. Rev. James Power. Christian Persing. Adam Palmer. Thomas Patton. Jacob Power. Frederick Persing. John Proctor. William Proctor, Jr. John Peebles. Abraham Power. John Quin. Joshua Randles - 534 - MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 535 William Robeson. John Rowley. Stophel Binor. Anthony Rough. Margaret Robeson (widow). David Rankin. Robert Robeson. David Shearer. William Sreader Philip Smith. Jacob Steer. Nicholas Smidly. Gasper Smidly. Gasper Smidly, Sr. Stophel Sees. George Balder. Michael Stockbarger. John Shipard. Bostion Siprat. Gen. Arthur St. Clair (non-resident). James Scott. Samuel Sloan. John Sloan (cordwinder). William Sloan (weaver). John Stuchal. Joseph Thomson. Joseph Tom. William Thomson. William Todd. Peter Tittel. John Taylor. Robert Toping. Robert Vance. David White. Robert Witherinton. Samuel Wilson. Adam Weaver. Gasper Weaver. Jacob Walter. Joseph Wray. John Wiley. James White. Samuel Whiteside. Mrs. Watson (widow). Robert Waddell. John Walfhart. Archibald White. George Yerion. Land-owners who reisded on the Manor John Taylor. Robert Lowers. John Spelman. Rudolph Bair. Henry Bair. Matthias Stockbarger. Daniel Armel. John Thorn. Isaac McHendry. William McGeary. James Ferguson. James MeCuiston. David Kilgore. Isabella Courtney. Rachel McGeary. Samuel Serrals. James Donal (blacksmith). James Pollock. James Steel List of those persons who had land rented in the township: George McCartney. James Brown. William Stuart. Jacob Klingensmith. Adam Partmeser. Andrew Barnes. John Kilgore. Marmaduke Jameson. Robert Herkley. William Aikin. List of those who resided in Mount Pleasant township and had land in “other parts:” John Gutery. Samuel Todd. James McClellan. Robert Lowers. James Simpson. Alexander Walker. Archibald Trimble. John Denis Stone. Joseph Thomson. James Gordon. Matthew Simpson; Joseph Ervin. Joseph Brownfield. John Murphy. William McFarlane. George Main. John Downy. John Donahow. Janice Guy. James McBride. Jacob Klingensmith. Hugh Wilson. Christian Yoakey. Richard Jervis. John Lidack. John Campbell. William McCall. William Findly. William Calalan. Joseph Scott. David Kilgore. Christian Yoakey, Jr. William Waddell. John Gourley. John Stuart. James Gaff. John Crow. James Pollock. John Biddle. William Thomson. Names of residents having no land in the township John Gutery. Toms Wagoner (blacksmith). Samuel Todd. James McClellan. James Simpson. Alexander Walker (cordwinder). Archibald Trimble. John Denistone. Joseph Beeler (constable). James Gordon. Joseph Hopkins. Matthew Simpson. Simon Roughindear. Patrick Calan. Thomas Jones. Jacob Espy. George Clipinger. Neal Murry. Moses Chambers. James Lawson (schoolmaster). Jacob Myalan. Jacob Lighter. James McQuillan. Adam Teamer. William Letemore. John Brownfield. David Bay. William Shreader. Michael Seaner. Adam Fisher. John Neal. James Simpson (weaver). Patrick White. Paul McClean. John White. Charles Riley. John Ward. John Meek. John Gilbreath. Henry Wingfield. Hugh Wilson. James Whitherinton. William Whitherinton. Robert Barr (weaver). John Carr. Joseph Erwin (schoolmaster). William Stinson (weaver). John.Murphy. Joseph Clark. John Dilworth. Henry Hurst. Rudolph Bair. Thomas Winter. Henry Shellabarger. Joseph Jervis. James Tanner. Alexander McClellan. Peter Consley. Tatter Waltinbaugh. Conrad Haining (blacksmith). William McFarlane. George Rian. Bartholomew Herington. James Russell. William Clark (mason). John Downey, John Donahow. William McWhirter. Frederick Raper. Duncan McGee. Jacob Hartman. James Waddell. James Bole. James Guy. James McBride. John Martemore. Andrew White. James Marshall. John Muglaughlane. William Robeson. Thomas Smith. Hugh Robeson. Christian Yoaky, Jr. Jacob Lidack (blacksmith). William Marshall. John Dayley (schoolmaster). James Cole. Robert Fravor. Thomas Trimble. Arthur McMichael. John Wesaner. Daniel Lasure. Richard Jervis. John Lasure (weaver). James Crow. Robert Robeson (mason). Jacob Cline. Jacob Wolf. John Lidack. William Eger. Zedekiah Tumblin (wheelwright) Abraham Fiscus. John Campbell. William McCall (weaver). William Calalan (tailor). John Gourley. John Stuart. John Scott. Andrew Kinkead. Daniel McDonal. Peter Peterson. Conrad Young. John Crow (weaver). William McGuire. John Jameson. William Thomson (tailor). Robert Ralston (weaver). David Livingstone. David McClelland (weaver). Francis Jameson. Joseph Scott. Freeman (owning lands no-where) Samuel Lewis. John Gutery. John Ridle. Henry Deadman. John McDonal. Henry Lower. William Bell. John Thorn. Thomas Simpson. James McKee. Neal Murry. William Bay. John Latta. William Downey. Aaron Shreader. Hugh McKiney. John Nichols. William Donahoo. Samuel Wilson. James Bandies. Andrew Robeson. John McClanahan. Jacob Witherinton. Robert Watson. Adam Bair. John Persing. Frederick Persing. Barnet Steer. Henry France. William Robeson. James Marshall. Archibald Marshall. John Shepard. Thomas Boyd. 636 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. William Brown. Stopel Accerman. James Newell. John Newell. James Gaff. James Marshall. George Moore. William Waddell. John Robeson. Peter Yoaky. John Trimble (blacksmith). John Starry. Samuel Sloan. Night Scott. James Dunseth. Isaac McCissek. Robert Crawford. Samuel Eakin. William Gutery. David Sloan (shoemaker). Archibald Marshall. James Mitchell. David Elder (schoolmaster). William Graham. Henry Inman. John Ralston. Samuel Robeson. Alexander McGougan. Benjamin Chambers. Benjamin Dilworth. Keary Quigley. John Hopkins. William Milligan. Nathaniel Alexander. William Hurst. John White. Thomas Butler. And three men named respectively Casswell, Hunter, and Thomson. The number of land-owners in the township were - 166 " “ " Manor were - 20 “ on rented lands were - 9 Number of "residenters" having no lands in the township were - 122 Number of freemen owning no lands anywhere - 62 Total taxable inhabitants - 378 The above return was made in September, 1783, by John Giffen, assessor, aided by his two assistants, William Lochry and James Gutery. EARLY SETTLERS. Hugh Martin first settled in the year 1769, and on the erection of Westmoreland a few years after, then including all the district west of Bedford, he received from the former proprietaries of Pennsylvania the commission of justice of the peace. After the Revolution he was appointed to the same station in consequence of an election by the freeholders, and on the adoption of the State constitution of 1790 he was again commissioned by Governor Mifflin. Firm and yet moderate in his political principles, exemplary in his morals, and of a pious disposition, he acquired the good will of his neighbors with the general respect of the public. He regarded his office as one of honor rather than of profit, discouraging as much as possible a litigious and quarrelsome spirit. On account of his advanced age he declined acting in his last years, but having discharged his duty faithfully when able he did not think proper to resign a commission he held so long. He was born in 1735, and died July 18, 1823. Among the early settlers of the township was John Giffen, the ancestor of a respectable family, some of whom still reside within the township. He was one of the settlers who was brought before 1770 in personal contact with the natives, and had the reputation of always holding his own. His grandson, Andrew Giffen, lives upon a part of the original tract of land patented in the name of his grandfather. James Steel early settled on the farm now occupied by his grandson, Joseph W. Steel. This portion of country be- longed to the " Manor of Sewickley," reserved as the personal estate of the proprietaries, and the original deed of this tract, as of those contiguous thereto and lying within the limits of the manor, are traceable to the Penns themselves, who made deeds by an attorney. These lands by act of Assembly do not require that the title to them be traced to the Commonwealth by patent. Others of the settlers here whose families still represent them were Conrad Byers and the Tinstmans. Capt. David Kilgore emigrated from Cumberland County before the Revolution. He had been married in Cumberland to Miss Sarah Mickey. His services are to be traced up in the history of the Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment, of which he was a captain. His descendants were (1) James, who moved to Ohio ; (2) Daniel, married to a daughter of Joshua Reynolds, and sister of the old Capt. Reynolds settled on a part of the old farm, where he died at a great age. He left a large family. (3) William, moved to Ohio; (4) Ezekiel, moved to Kentucky ; (5) John, married a daughter of Alexander Hunter, Mount Pleasant township ; died, leaving four sons and one daughter ; (6) David, moved to Ohio, and there died ; (7) Jesse, married several times, resided on the old, place, died at the age of sixty-eight ; (8) Elizabeth, married to James Gaff, moved to Ohio ; (9) Jane, married to John Edgar, moved to Ohio ; (10) Sarah, married to Gresham Hull. She and Ezekiel were twins. James Galloway came from York County soon after the Revolutionary war, and settled near Overton. He was a blacksmith, and his services were in such demand that when he was drafted into some military service, either during the Indian troubles at the latter end of the war or subsequently, his neighbors, rather than spare him, he being the only blacksmith for miles around, helped to get a substitute. This they did for the payment of twelve dollars in money, a rifle-gun, and a butcher-knife. John Galloway now owns the old estate. Conrad Byers, an emigrant from Germany, purchased, June 3, 1773, three hundred and thirty-nine acres of land, as shown by patent, in this township. On this he built a strong log house, to which his neighbors frequently fled for safety and shelter from the Indians. His wife was a Miss Mary Riel, a German maiden, who had been a " redemptioner," of a class who had to pay for their passage across the ocean by indenturing themselves to masters who could pay for their services, which consideration went to the master of the ship. Conrad Byers purchased her indenture, and after so doing married her. She made him a worthy life companion and good helpmeet. Their sons were Peter, Andrew, and John. The old homestead is still in the family, owned now by John, Daniel, and Jacob Byers. Peter Peters has some of the lands patented in 1783. The grist-mill of John Byers (near Weaver's old stand, between Greensburg and Mount Pleasant), now in successful operation, was erected by Mr. Byers in 1848. It was built to be used for a distillery, and for a time so used, but subsequently changed to a flouring-mill. MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 537 Nathaniel Hurst, the paternal ancestor of a very extensive family, some of whom still reside in the township, settled in 1790. His patents for lands of that date call fora thousand acres. The Hurst family has been an important one in the local history of their locality, and are connected by intermarriage with some of the most worthy and intelligent families of the county. John Lemon came from Ireland to America in 1762, and in 1794 located in this township, on the farm now owned by James Lemon. The tract contained thiee hundred and fifty acres, and was all new land. Mr. Lemon lived on it until his death in 1812, and his labor opened out a large portion of it. By his wife, a Miss Michy, he had four daughters and a son, James, who occupied the farm until his death. Robert Newell came from New Jersey about 1775, and settled on the farm now occupied by Joshua Newell, Jr. This tract, containing two hundred and eighty-two acres, he bought in 1789. His sons were James, George, and John. Newell's mills, on the Sewickley, operated by Joshua Newell, Sr., was a point, half a century ago, for militia muster and elections. Charles Lewis Bush came from Germany in 1792, stopping first in Philadelphia for some time. In 1814 he came to Mount Pleasant, and purchased of Frederick Weaver the farm now owned by his son, John H. Bush ; on it was an old fort or block-house, the remains of which were finally demolished as late as 1871, and on it were the remains of an Indian burying-ground. A few years ago one of these mounds was opened and a skull and other bones were found. The bodies were laid on the top of the ground, or a very shallow depth, and then covered with stones to protect them from wild beasts which then roamed the fields. Some of these stone mounds have been disturbed, but many yet remain. George, son of Jacob Freeman, an emigrant from Germany, settled on the Chestnut Ridge in 1827. His tract of land embraced sixteen hundred acres. He was at one time owner of the Mount Pleasant Furnace, which he operated until the decline in prices made it an unprofitable business. During his management metal fell from forty to eighteen dollars per ton. A portion of this tract is now owned by John Freeman, and another part by George Freeman. Casper Weaver came from Germany, and at an early day settled in the township, on the farm now owned and occupied by his grandson, John B. Weaver. This farm has never been out of the family. Casper Weaver, Jr., was born on it, and there lived all his life. On the farm of William Campbell, in the western part, there can yet be seen many. Indian graves. On the farm of Jacob Byers is a house standing which has been repaired by the pres. ent owner, which was occupied by the earliest settlers, and figured quite conspicuously in the Indian troubles. The sides of many of the buildings, containing loop-holes from which to watch and defend the inmates from the savages, are yet to be seen, one of which is on the farm and near the residence-of Abraham Ruff. There is an old graveyard on the farm of A. S. Fox, where many of the first settlers are buried. Christian Lobengier was born in Lancaster County in 1740, and removed to this township in 1772. He was the ancestor of the numerous and prominent families bearing his name in this region. He was a delegate to the First Constitutional Convention of Pennsylvania from July 15 to Sept. 28, 1776, a member of the Legislature from 1791 to 1793, and died July 4, 1798. His wife was Elizabeth Muller, born in Switzerland in 1744, and came with her father, Rudolph Muller, to Pennsylvania in 1749. She died Sept. 5, 1815. The emigrants into this township after the Revolutionary war, from 1785 to 1790, were of a richer class. They were stronger-handed, took up larger farms, and cleared faster and more land than those previously settled. They built saw- and grist-mills, and gave employment to poor settlers. They introduced cattle of all kinds, and especially improved breeds of sheep and hogs. These settlers were a quiet people of good habits, and progressed wonderfully in the pursuits of agriculture prior to the development of minerals. Their old-time houses, seldom seen west of Pennsylvania, were indeed in some respects an improvement over those constructed at the present time. They were low but convenient in the rooms, with wide halls. They had many advantages our modern houses do not possess. In the township there are yet many representatives of these old-time residences. As showing the thrift and care of the farmers, a traveler passing through the township before the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad was built and the coal-fields developed would at once be struck with the large expanses of wheat, corn, oats, and meadows, free from all tare and cockle, and without any thistles along the roadsides. SCHOOLS. Prior to the free school system inaugurated by the act of 1834 only two houses were known to have been built for school purposes within the township. Others used for that purpose were deserted dwellings, blacksmith-shops, stables, etc. At the time of the first election for the acceptance of the school law, strange to say, the whole vote except one was, on the official report furnished by County Superintendent James Silliman, Esq., in 1876, against it. At the second election a few influential citizens took a stand in favor of it, and by the aid of the poor class carried the township by a small majority in favor of it. Among the first directors were Daniel Worman, S. Miller, Jacob Lobingier, Samuel Jack, and J. Fausold. Among the first teachers were Jacob. Lobingier, F. Lobingier, J. Roadman, Moses Hartman. At a later 538 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. date they had for teachers G. M. Bigam, C.C. Taylor, A. P. Deemer, S. S. Jack. These teachers created quite a change in favor of education, although there are still some who are opposed to the system. But the first beginnings of the free school system here, although discouraging in the extreme, were of short duration, and the township of Mount Pleasant at this date ranks as one of the very foremost in all the requirements necessary to fully carry out the obvious intention of the law. The peculiar feature is this, that all the public school-houses in the township are built of brick, most of them have bells, and in all the appointments they are, on the whole, the most complete structures erected for the purpose in the county. The .directors have, generally been men of standing, and in some instances the most influential citizens in their respective communities. They secure good teachers, and pay them mostly better wages than the average townships. The number of the school: houses in the township is twenty-one, including the borough. Among the prominent directors of a late date are D. Shupe, J. B. Hurst, J. Griffin, G. Welty, S. Andrews, B. Millinger, George Freeman, and others. COUNTRY CHURCHES. "ST. JOHN'S REFORMED" (ALSO LUTHERAN) CONGREGATION was formerly known as " Kindig's," and is perhaps one of the four organized or taken charge of by Rev. John William Weber, the first resident Reformed pastor in this region. He arrived here in 1782, and took charge or four congregations, " one in Pittsburgh, two in Hempfield township (Brush Creek and Harrold's), and one in Mount Pleasant township." It is not definitely. known whether this or St. Paul's is the one mentioned in Mount Pleasant township, and if not, it came into existence shortly afterwards. As it is stated that Mr. Weber visited a number of neighboring infant congregations, it may have been one of the latter. He served it in an occasional way until 1816, and preached in Daniel Kintig's barn, and also in the first Kintig's Church. Rev. William Weinel was pastor from 1816 to 1829. His successor was Rev. N. P. Hacke, whose first communion took place Nov. 28, 1829. He was succeeded in 1832 by Rev. Adam Byers, who in the latter part of the same year was followed by Rev. H. E. F. Voight, who continued until 1864. In 1857, Rev. L. H. Keafauver became English supply, and as such was succeeded in 1859 by Rev. C. C. Russell. In 1861, Rev. F. K. Levan became joint pastor with Mr. Voight. He was followed by Rev. J. A. Peters; a short time before the close of Mr. Voight's ministry in 1864, at which time he became sole pastor. The place of worship is two miles north of Mount Pleasant, on the Pleasant Unity 'road. The land was donated for church and school purposes by four men, —Daniel Kintig (who lived on the farm where Daniel Ruff now resides), Henry Fisher ( who lived where Peter Rumbaugh now does), Andrew Small (who lived where Jacob Fisher now does), and John Deeds (who lived where John Rumbaugh, Sr., now does). These four farms joined at a point near the spot occupied by the present church, and each one gave a half-acre to form a lot for•church and school-house. The first edifice was small, built of logs, and used both for a meeting- and school-house. It is still standing, and occupied as a dwelling. In 1827 a brick edifice was erected, which was superseded by the present one, dedicated in 1861. The first communion-roll in existence is for 1821, and numbered twenty-seven, including thirteen confirmed the day before. The property has been owned and occupied from the beginning conjointly with the Lutheran congregation. Among the late prominent officials are Elders Isaac Shupe and Christian Sandals, and Deacons J. A. Byers and L. B. Shupe. "ST. PAUL'S REFORMED" (ALSO LUTHERAN) CONGREGATION is known as " Frey's" and the " Ridge." The first name is derived from the fact that a Frey family Owned the farm for many years from which the land was taken upon which the church is built. Theie are still three families of Freys living within its. sight. It is called the Ridge Church because it is but a short distance from Chestnut Ridge. Rev. N. P. Hacke thinks it 'was one of the four charges taken in hand by Rev. John William Weber in 1782. The first edifice was built upon the farm formerly owned by Caspar Weaver, and in it Mr. Weber, who was brought in a team by Mr. Fiscus, of this neighborhood, from Northampton County, preached. Mr. Weber was pastor until his death, in 1816, and was succeeded for two years by Rev. Henry Habliston. Rev. N. P. Hacke was pastor from 1819 to 1863. The second house of worship was built on the site of the present edifice, one mile and a half south of Pleasant Unity. It was made of logs, and was for a long time without gallery, pulpit, altars, or pews. Afterwaids these were supplied and the building plastered on the outside. The present brick church was erected in 1846, and dedicated November 18th of that year under the pastorate of Rev. N. P. Hacke and his colleague on the Lutheran side, Rev. Jonas Mechling. It has since received a new roof and been repainted and frescoed. The successors of Mr. Hacke were Revs. J. A. Peters, A. J. Heller, D. B. Lady, and S. Z. Beam, the latter in 1878. In 1861 about one-third of the members withdrew and were organized with the St. Luke's congregation of Pleasant Unity, and connected with the Latrobe charge. The first Sunday-school was held in a room over a distillery on the farm of the late William Fisher, about two miles from the church, about 1837. It was afterwards moved to the church. In 1875 the Lutheran congregation organized a separate school, and the following year similar action was taken by the Reformed. Among the prominent superintendents of it have been Samuel B. Fisher and Simon P. Truxal, and of the Consistory, Elders MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 539 Simon Brinker and William Truxal, Sr., and Deacons Aaron Ankeny, Michael Poorman, Jr., and J. B. Frey. MOUNT PLEASANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This is one of the oldest churches in the West. It is situate about two miles from the town of Mount Pleasant in a northeast direction, and was in old times commonly called the Middle Church. The graveyard attached was used as a place of burial probably as early as 1773, the date of the county organization. The congregation, according to Dr. Smith, in " Old Redstone," was organized as early as 1776, when Dr. Power removed to the western country. It was supplied by him from that period till the spring of 1779, when he became the pastor of the united congregations of Mount Pleasant and Sewickley. On the 22d of August, 1787, he was dismissed from Sewickley, and continued the pastor of Mount Pleasant till April 15, 1817, when, from age and infirmity, he resigned his charge. It continued vacant till April 18, 1821, when the Rev. A. 0. Patterson, D.D., was ordained and installed pastor of the united congregations of Mount Pleasant and Sewickley. This relation continued till Oct. 8, 1834. Soon after the Rev. S. Montgomery became its pastor, April, 1836. On May 19, 1840, the congregation was unhappily divided, a part adhering to the New School division. In this weakened and crippled state of the congregation it formed a connection with Greensburg. The Rev. James J. Brownson became the pastor Nov. 25, 1841, and was dismissed in January, 1849. In 1849 these congregations united in a call to the Roiv. William D. Moore, who became their pastor soon after. In October, 1851, Mr. Moore resigned the pastoral charge of Mount Pleasant. On the 14th of April, 1852, the Rev. William W. McLain received and accepted a call from them, and was installed their pastor soon after, in 1852. Rev. John M. Barnett was supply or pastor from December, 1861, until October, 1869; Rev. John McMitlan, D.D., from 1870 until 1873 ; Rev. W. F. Ewing, the present pastor, was installed in June, 1874. The history of the Middle Church is full of historic and local interest. On the 9th of October, 1874, the three congregations of Mount Pleasant (Middle Church), Mount Pleasant Town, and Pleasant Unity, which have grown from the first congregation, held with appropriate ceremonials and services the " centennial celebration of the planting of the Presbyterian Church of Mount Pleasant, Pa.," the proceedings of which were afterwards published in a neat pamphlet. As it is accessible to most of those who are more than ordinarily interested in the subject, we shall not enter into the interesting details which it gives. It is commendable in the highest degree to those who first suggested the idea, and those who so successfully carried the project to consummation.1 1 We are intebted here for the kind offices of the present pastor, Rev. W. F. Ewing. MOUNT PLEASANT BOROUGH. There were probably a number of settlers clustered together in a hamlet or village upon the present site of Mount Pleasant borough before the Revolution was ended. A house erected there in 1793 by one Michael Smith, an enterprising German, was occupied by him as a licensed house in which to entertain the public. A copy of the license granted him to sell wine and spirituous drink by the usual formula, and under the usual restrictions touching gambling and drunkenness, is still in existence. This tavern house is still standing on Main Street, and it is traditionally the first one erected within the limits of the town. The first part of the town (which was then indeed all the town) was laid out by Alexander McCready, who had purchased the land from Nathaniel Marshall on the 28th of August, 1797. Like the early history of all our townships and boroughs, that of this town is hard to trace out. N. B. Critchfield, with ardent and patient labor, went over the whole ground, in order to give a satisfactory and comprehensive history of the town on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of '76. He found that much depended upon the recollection of the " older inhabitants," but that prior to about 1810 no trustworthy recollections went. At that time there were thirty-four houses in the village, all of which were built of logs, and of these there were then (1876) some seven still standing. Of the oldest citizens of the place he recalled the names of Michael Smith, Alexander McCready, Charles Fulwood, Esq., William Hunter, Conrad Keister, William Cherry, Clement Burleigh, Esq., William Anderson, James Lippincott, Rev. James Estep, John Connell, William Flynn, and David Hunter. The first brick house in the town was built in the year 1812, on the lot at the present time occupied as a store-room, known as Isaac Stauffer's. Owing to the location of the town in the midst of a rich and fertile country, well stocked with a very excellent class of people, and on one of the main thoroughfares of the day, the progress of the place was, all things considered, regular and, above all things, sure. The old road, known as the Glade road, which was helped by appropriations from the Assembly from time to time, made that route a very desirable one for the great body of travel and traffic which was gathered in between the old State road on the north and the Braddock road on the south. This was the highway from Somerset by way of West Newton to Pittsburgh. The improvement of this highway was as regular as the improvement of the two great roads on either side of it. In time it was transformed into the turnpike, over whose smooth road-bed tramped the feet and rolled the wheels of the travel and inland commerce of a departed generation. When the Somerset and Mount Pleasant Turnpike Company was organized, the Hon. John Lobingier 540 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. was made its president. Upon this road the town depended for its commercial communication with the other parts of the country until the completion of the railroads which took their place. At one time it appeared that the place had reached its utmost limit of development, when the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was built through Connellsville on the south, and when the Pennsylvania Railroad ran through Greensburg on the north. But fate had better things in store. ENTERPRISING BUSINESS MEN OF EARLY TIMES. It is very evident, not to count on local authority, that there was a splendid class of business men in the early day settled here. The writer to whom we have referred has called to notice the fact that one of the institutions of the town in the early part of the present century was a joint-stock company, organized about the year 1814, for the purpose of carrying on the mercantile business under the name of " The Farmers' and Mechanics' Store." The company occupied as a place of business a log building which stood on the lot latterly occupied as a store-room of Ebersole, Trauger & Zuck ; that is, on the left side of the main street going northward. At that day compared with ordinary stores it was a thing to talk of, but compared with many of the establishments of the place now it was insignificant. One who scrutinizes the old files of the county papers cannot but observa that the business men of the borough had enterprise and energy more than common. They had advertisements constantly in the papers, and they were among the first in the county to separate the goods offered into specialties. We believe that the firm of "Stouffer & Lippincott," about 1822, then in the general merchandise business, advertised more extensively than any other country firm of their day. APPEARANCE OF THE OLD VILLAGE. A lady traveling through the southern part of the county in the days of the stage-coaches has left on record some observations made of the place. The village is described as one of those kind peculiar to Pennsylvania. Most of the business was done on one street, which was long and narrow. The houses were generally built close up to the street ; few of them had yards in front. The majority of them were then antiquated and shabby-looking; but this no doubt was to be attributed to the flimsy material of which they had been constructed. But it was noticed at that day that there were some houses evidencing taste and refinement. The same writer remarks the high moral and social standard of the residents, and is endless in her praise of the thrifty appearance of the surrounding country, and the evidence of thrift in the people who worked the field with their own hands. OPENING OF THE COAL TRADE. The Mount Pleasant and Broad Ford Railroad was completed in 1871. This, with the opening up of the coal-fields along the line of the road and in the vicinity of the place, gave a new impulse to every interest in the town. From that time on its progress in all departments of development was a matter of wonder and astonishment to those who had been familiar with its former status. Many new buildings were erected, some of them of costly and durable material. Real estate soon reached a fictitious value. Men who had sold their farms or their coal at greatly enhanced prices flocked into the place, purchased houses and lots at exorbitant rates, entered into business themselves, or started their sons in business without previous training or experience. The demand for labor was augmented, and many came hither from a distance to share in the rising glories of the flourishing place. So the population now on increased more rapidly than ever before. INCORPORATION, ETC. The town of Mount Pleasant was incorporated by act of Assembly the 7th of February, 1828. The inhabitants of the new borough were emp.owered to hold their first election at the house of Robert Hitchman, to elect the officers of the borough. These were to be one chief burgess, one assistant burgess, six councilors, and a borough constable. Thenceforward after the first Monday of the next May the chief burgess, the assistant burgess, and the Council so duly elected, and their successors, should be a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of " The Burgess and Council of the Borough of Mount Pleasant." By act of Assembly passed in 1845 the incorporated parts of the borough of Mount Pleasant were allowed to choose their own overseers of the poor, and support their own poor apart from the townships of Mount Pleasant and East Huntingdon. Samuel Shupe and Abraham Shallenberger, of the borough, were constituted overseers until the spring election of 1846. The borough limits were extended in 1881 by ordinance, a copy of which is here given : “WHEREAS, The petition of H. R. Freed, J. C. Lehman, Mrs. D. Z. Frick, W. S. Hutchinson, B. F. MechUng, Cyrus Galley, Lucynde Lytle, W. B. Neel, Hitchman & Neel, Wilson Shields, Jacob Hewitt, J. B. Hurst, Samuel Reese, E. R. Swartz, J. Dt. Marsh, J. J. Fox, Frank Miller, John Leonard, Rev. J. M. Barnett, freehold owners of lots and outlots of land lying adjoining the borough of Mount Pleasant, Pa., praying for admission, and that the same may be made a part of the borough, has been presented to the Burgess and Town Council thereof. " WHERETORE, Be it ordained by the Burgess and Town Council of the aforesaid borough that on and after the 16th day of August, A.D. 1881, the following property, lots or outlots of land within the following-described. boundary, shall forever thereafter be deemed and taken and allowed to be a part of said borough, and subject to the jurisdiction and government of the municipal authorities of said borough, as fully as if the same had been originally a part of said borough, viz.: Beginning at a point on the old borough line on Cemetery Street, at the corner of lot of J. J. Fox, thence north 66½ degrees, west 200 feet to a white-oak; thence south 27 degrees, west 276 feet to centre of the pike ; thence along said pike north 52½ degrees, west 510 feet; thence south 36½ degrees, west 92 feet ; thence south 89 degrees, west 483½ feet to a poet; thence south 27½ degrees, east 767 feet to a post; thence south 25 degrees, east 40 feet; thence south 62½ degrees, west 312 feet, to a post; thence south 23 1/4 degrees, east 182 feet to a corner with the old line of the borough; MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 541 thence along old line north 62 degrees, east 666 feet ; thence south 63½ degrees, east 364 feet ; thence north 36½ degrees, east 287 feet to a post; thence north 53½ degrees, west 435 feet to a post; thence north 36½ degrees, east 132 feet to a poet on Main Street ; thence along Main Street south 53½ degrees, east 164 feet ; thence north 17 degrees, east 102 feet, to point of starting. "The foregoing ordinance has been enacted in accordance with laws made and provided by acts of Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. "As witness our bands this 16th day of August, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty-one. "W. H. SMITH, "Burgess. "WM. WASHINGTON. " GEORGE HARTSZEL " B. F. MECHLING. "D. W. SHRYOCK. " W. M. JORDAN "Attest :          . " W. M. JORDAN, Beef." The first election for borough officers was on the first Monday in May, 1828. The officials for that year were: Chief Burgess, Abraham Shallenberger ; Assistant Burgess, Jesse Lippincott; Council, Jacob Rupert, Rev. Samuel Wakefield, Robert Hitchman, Jacob Kern, John Hosler ; Constable, Samuel Ford ; Secretary, David Fulwood ; Treasurer, John Hitchman. Since then the chief burgesses have been : 829, John Lloyd; 1830, Jesse Lippincott; 1831, John Stauffer ; 1832, Jacob Kern; 1833-35, Benjamin Kempf; 1835, Christian Painter; 1836, S. Shupe ; 1837-40, John E. Fleming; 1840, Dr, W. C. Reiter; 1841, J. Armell, Jr.; 1842-45, Dr. W. C. Reiter ; 1845, S. Shupe ; 1817-49, David Bolster; 1849, Dr. W. C. Reiter; 1850, Benjamin Shallenberger ; 1851-66, J. B. Jordan ; 1856, David S. Cherry; 1857, A. S. Overholt; 1858, W. M. Jordan ; 1869, G. Kempf; 1860, J. B. Jordan ; 1861, D. G. Weaver; 1862, W. J. Hitchman ; 1863-66, John Sherri& ; 1878-80, W. M. Jordan ; 1880-82, W. H Smith: On. March 1, 1882, the borough officiald were : Burma, W. H. Smitll (councilman) ; Secretary, W. M. Jordan (councilman) ; Treasurer, D. W. Shryock councilman) ; Council, B. F. Mechling, William Washington, George Hartzel. The regular Council meetings are the first Monday in each month. Constable and Street Commissioner, James Foust ; Constable, John T. Stauffer. UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Associate Reformed Church (now the United Presbyterian) organized a congregation in this place in to year 1802, and four years later the Rev. Mungo Dick was settled as pastor, whose labors with the church were continued about eighteen years. This pastorate was followed by a vacancy which lasted fifteen years, when Rev. Richard Gaily became pastor, in May, 1839, and continued until 1850. Gaily was succeeded by Rev. D. H. Pollock, who remained until 1853, and whose pastorate was the shortest in the history of the church. Rev. James Fife next became pastor. He was installed in 1856, beginning his labors as pastor in May of that year. He continued in charge until his death, which occurred July 26, 1861. Then came the pastorate of Rev. A. B. Fields, which extended from 1862 to 1867. Then, after a vacancy of four years, came the sixth pastorate, that of Rev. J. A. Nelson, who began his labors in August, 1871, and - 35 - continued in charge four years. His resignation took effect July 31, 1875. The membership of the congregation is about seventy. It is now in its third house of worship. The first, which was a log house, was built about the year 1812 or 1813, and was owned jointlyby the United Brethren and the Associate Reformed congregations. The second house was built in 1830. It was of brick, and was owned by the same bodies. In 1854 the United Brethren congregation sold their interest to the Associate Reformed congregation and built a church for themselves. In 1871 the second structure was taken down and the present house erected. It was dedicated Feb. 29, 1872. All three buildings stood on the same lot, and near the same spot. Before any of the churches there was what was called a tent, but that was simply a pulpit boarded up and roofed, in which the minister stood, while the people sat or stood around as best suited their convenience. This pulpit stood near the present grounds, but perhaps not on them. Here services were held before the church was built. UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST. A church for the congregation of this communion was first established in this vicinity in 1803. The first preaching by this denomination was in private houses, barns, and in a school-house one and a half miles from town, known as Bonnet's school-house where also the first General Conference was held in the year 1815. The building already referred to as being owned by the United Brethren and Associate Reformed Churches jointly was their first regular place of worship. It was built by the public generally, but the lot not being paid for, the proprietor proposed to sell it to any person wishing to purchase it, to be used for whatever purpose they might deem proper. In the mean time the United Brethren and Associate Reformed Churches agreed to unite in making the purchase, and to hold the property in partnership. Accordingly the property was bought, and the deed of conveyance to the two congregations was made on the 30th day of November, 1815. In the year 1830 (the same year in which the brick house already referred to was erected by the two congregations named) the log house was sold to the Presbyterians and removed to the west end of town. After having sold their interest in the brick church on Church Street to the Associate Reformed Church, the United Brethren in 1854, as already stated, built their present house of worship on Main Street, which is much larger and more commodious than the building formerly occupied. This last building was much improved in 1874 by the addition of a tower and other improvements to the interior of the structure. As this denomination has the itinerant system of ministry, and its pastors are changed every two or three years, it would be difficult to give a list of the ministers by whom the church has been served. The present (1876) membership of the church is one hundred and ninety. 542 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The first Methodist Episcopal society in this place was organized in the year 1816 by the Rev. Jacob Dowell, who was then in charge of Connellsville Circuit. For about sixteen years the society worshiped either in private houses, in the old log meeting-house on Church Street, or in the brick church that succeeded it. The first house of worship belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church in this place was built in 1832, on a lot near the east end of Main Street, which they occupied for twenty-four years. The present house of worship was erected in 1856 and refurnished in 1872. This congregation was formerly united with others in the neighborhood, and did not become a separate charge until the year 1873, when it was set off as such at the annual session of the Pittsburgh Conference, and Rev. Samuel Wakefield, D.D., was appointed pastor. Dr. Wakefield's pastorate lasted two years, when he was succeeded by Rev. M. B. Pugh. The number of persons at present (1876) in full membership is one hundred and fifty. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The Presbyterian Church in Mount Pleasant is, in one point of view, the oldest, in another the youngest, ecclesiastical organization in the place. The history of thisdenomination goes back to 1774. Their first house of worship was erected two miles in the country, on the road leading to Latrobe, where the third edifice of that body now stands, which is generally known by the name of the " Middle Church," and which has a very interesting local history of its own. The first preaching for the Presbyterians in the village seems to have been by the Rev. Dr. Patterson during his pastorate in the " Middle Church," probably in 1825. After him all his successors in that church served the portion of the congregation living in and near the village once a fortnight, in the evening, in the old log church already referred to as owned by the United Brethren and the United Presbyterians. In 1870, on the 15th of June, the corner-stone of the Memorial Presbyterian Church was laid, and on the 1st of September, 1872, the building being entirely finished and furnished with the most convenient and comfortable appointments of any church in the county, at a cost of twenty-one thousand dollars, was dedicated to the worship of the triune God according to the doctrines, order, and discipline of the Presbyterian Church. On the 25th of April, 1873, one hundred and seven persons, all members of the old mother or " Middle Church," were, at their own request, organized by the Presbytery of Redstone, then meeting in the Memorial Church, into a separate society, to be known as the Reunion Presbyterian Church of Mount Pleasant. From that time forward Rev. John McMillan, D.D., has been and still is (1876) the pastor of this congregation. Seventy names have been added to the communicants' roll since the organization. BAPTIST CHURCH. The regular Baptist Church of Mount Pleasant was organized Nov. 15, 1828. Of the twenty constituent members of the. church nine were formerly members of the church at Connellsville, and eleven had been baptized by Rev. Dr. Estep, but had never enjoyed church relationship. A few days after the organization of the church, Rev. William Shadrach, then a licentiate minister, was called to the pastorate, and on the 10th of December following he was ordained by Revs. Fry, Thomas, and Estep. During the history of the church the following persons have served as pastors : William Shadrach, James Estep, Rev. Rockefeller, Isaac Wynn, Simeon Sigfried, Milton Sutton, John Parker, W. A. Caldwell, T. R. Taylor, W. W. Hickman, B. F. Woodburn, G. A. Ames, and Leroy Stephens, the present incumbent. The first house of worship erected by this congregation was built about the year 1830 on Church Street. In this building, and in a meeting-house erected in the neighborhood of Pennsville, the church met alternately until the erection of the new edifice on Main Street in 1868. The same year in which the present house of worship was erected the membership living in the neighborhood of Pennsville was, at their own request, separated from this body, and a new church organized at that place. The membership of the church, as taken from their statistical report of 1875, is one hundred and fifty-seven. GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH. The first congregation of the German Reformed (or Reformed) Church of this place was organized in College Chapel, in March, 1864. The first pastor was Rev. J. A. Peters whose pastorate extended to 1869. He succeeded by Rev. A. J. Heller, who began his labors Oct. 10, 1869, and continued to March 5, 1872. Rev. D. B. Lady was installed June 14, 1870. From March, 1864, to April, 1871, the congregation worshiped in College Chapel ; from April, 1871, to April, 1872, in the Bunker Hill school-house. Their present church building, on East Main Street, was completed in 1872, and since April of that year has been their regular place of worship. The Reformed Church had a membership in this place before the organization of the St. Peter's congregation. The St. John's congregation, whose place of worship is about two miles north of the town, and from which many of the members of the St. Peter's congregation came, is ,among the oldest congregations in the community. CHURCH OF GOD. This congregation was organized in March, 1873. Their house of worship was erected in the year 1871, on a lot formerly occupied by the Presbyterian Church. It was dedicated in March, 1872. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Elder J. M. Dorner. Since its organization this congregation has been MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 543 principally under the care and supervision of the Rev. Peter Loucks. The present membership is about one hundred and twenty-five. LUTHERAN CHURCH. The Evangelical Lutheran Church organized a congregation in this place in 1869, during the time that Rev. Enoch Smith was pastor of the congregations in the neighborhood. This congregation worships in the Reformed Church, and has a membership of between thirty and forty. Rev. L. S. Harkey is the present pastor. THE MOUNT PLEASANT MORMONS, and in fact all the Mormons residing in this region, belong to what is called the " Josephine sect." This sect was established by the wife and sons of Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet, whose very foundation-stone is opposition to polygamy., They accept the Book of Mormon, and all the earlier revelations of the prophet. But the polygamy revelation, the last one that came to the illustrious prophet, they maintain was inspired by the devil, as is evident from its blasphemous contradiction of the Book of Mormon, which denounces the practice of polygamy as " an abomination in the sight of the Lord." The Mormons here and in Western Pennsylvania are not very numerous, and adhere to the old-time declarations of the "Latter-Day Saints," and not to the principles and practices of those in power in Utah. MOUNT PLEASANT CEMETERY. In 1867 the citizens of the. place united in purchasing a lot of ground containing about eleven acres, and lying within easy access of the corporate limits in a very desirable location, for burying purposes. They were duly erected into a corporation under the name and style of the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association. They at once proceeded to lay out and dispose of the lots, and to beautify and ornament the grounds. This-has been done in a highly creditable manner, corresponding to the wealth and tastes of the citizens. In time it, no doubt, will be one of the finest adorned places of sepulture in the county. Among the old settlers here buried are : John Miller, died Oct. 26, 1874, aged 82. John Starrer, Sr., born Jan. 14, 1796, died Feb. 6, 1879. Abraham Harbach, died May 24, 1877, aged 71. Nathaniel Hurst, died Feb. 29, 1860, aged 68. Polly Hurst, died April 5, 1848, aged 44. Abraham Miller, died April 6, 1875, aged 80. Isaac Shupe, born Sept. 11, 1790, died Sept. 7, 1847 ; his wife, Elizabeth, born April 18, 1798, died Oct. 22, 1845. Abraham Whitmer, died Sept.12, i847, aged 75; his wife, Christina, died Sept. 24, 1847, aged 73. Philip Mechling, born Aug. 21, 1800, died July 30, 1874 ; his wife, Margaret, born Aug. 21, 1802, died Dec. 14, 1859. John Goldsmith, died Sept. 29, 1871, aged 69. Simon Shafer, born July 4, 1797, died June 9, 1870. Catharine, wife of George Rose, born March 14, 1809, died July 16, 1873. Henry Lippincott, died March 20, 1846, aged 40. Samuel Lippincott, died Oct. 13, 1847, aged 52; his wife, Margaret, died May 22, 1844, aged 46. William McCracken, died May 27, 1859, aged 64. Nancy Strickler, died Feb. 18, 187E, aged 67. Anna, wife of John Tristman, born July 4, 1812, died March 29, 1866. Abraham S. Overholt, died May 10, 1863, aged 46. Abraham Overholt, died Jan. 15, 1870, aged 86; his wife, Maria, died Nov. 1, 1874, aged 83. Henry S. Overholt, died June 18,1870, aged 60. John Hitchman, died March 21, 1846, aged 57. Mary A., wife of James Shields, born Sept. 18, 1812, died Aug. 27, 1870. James Morrison, died Aug. 26, 1870, aged 66. William Foster, died June 10, 1879, aged 84. Joseph E. Gibbs, died March 27, 1845, aged 59. Jacob Empick, died Oct. 31, 1850, aged 45. Susan Empick, died April 19, 1876, aged 74. Jacob Bowers, born Oct. 13, 1812, died June 4, 1876. Samuel Wilkins, born Sept. 23, 1812, died Oct. 25, 1862. Samuel Shupe, died September, 1845, aged 69; his wife, Mary, died July 27, 1874, aged 83. Caroline, wife of Daniel Shupe, born Nov. 9, 1818, died May 24, 1848. James Wade, Sr., died May 5, 1855, aged 64; his wife, Margaret, died July 23, 1879, aged 78. John Stouffer, Sr., died Nov. 8, 1821, aged 60; his wife, Barbara, died Jan. 27, 1860, aged 81. John Stouffer, died Sept. 18, 1836, aged 39; his wife, Maria, died Dec. 3, 1877, aged 73. THE OLD UNITED PRESBYTERIAN GRAVEYARD lies just back of its church, on Church Street, but is now abandoned for burial purposes. It was the first and only graveyard in the village, and among the old settlers are the following interments: John Shupe, Sr, died Nov. 12, 1861, aged 81. George Fults, died April 14, 1827, aged 71; his wife, Elizabeth, died April 3, 1836, aged 81. Rev. Daniel Warman, born Dec. 3, 1786, died Aug. 19, 1862; his wife, Elizabeth, died Feb. 12, 1865, aged 66. George Warman, died March 13, 1824, aged 72 ; his wife, Catharine, died Nov. 26, 1834, aged 78 ; their son, Daniel, died March 9,1836, aged 39. Simon Stickle, died Sept. 4, 1847, aged 89. Samuel Shrader, born Jan. 30, 1797, died Sept. 2, 1866. Mary Shepherd, died Nov. 16, 1854, aged 73. Margaret, wife of Daniel Clair, died Sept. 1, 1848, aged 32. William Anderson, died Aug. 29, 1843, aged 79. Ann J. Anderson, died April 25, 1855, aged 50. Jane Anderson, died June 10, 1833, aged 71. Mary Anderson, died May 15, 1837, aged 42. Alexander Anderson, died May 12, 1832, aged 27. John Lippincott Anderson, died Sept. 14, 1824, aged 26. Samuel Clark, born July 26, 1808, died May 13, 1845; his wife, Sarah, died April 4, 1846, aged 61. Samuel Shupe, died Sept. 9, 1845, aged 59. Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Coldsmith, born Oct. 2, 1786, died Dec. 30, 1834; her husband died Aug. 31, 1846, aged 62. Sophia Stanley, died July 23, 1834, aged 39. Samuel Ford, died Oct. 6, 1834, aged 75. John Shupe, died April 2, 1835, aged 84; his wife, Mary, died May, 1843, aged 86. Catherine, wife of John Shupe, born March 15, 1786, died Oct. 17, 1838. Matilda, wife of J. Miller, born May 5, 1829, died Dec. 13, 1863. John Hawkins, Sr., died April 5, 1847, aged 56. Rosanna, wife of Henry Hawkins, born May 3, 1818, died March 18, 1838. Jacob Ruperd, died Sept. 14, 1832, aged 40. Catherine Cook, born March 23, 1794, died Feb. 23, 1847. Samuel Brechbill, died Dec. 28, 1846, aged 22. John Zarger, died Feb. 25, 1847, aged 75. James Morrow, died Dec. 21, 1842, aged 66; his wife, Jane, died March 6, 1855, aged 66. Jane, wife of Jacob Stahl, died Jan. 16, 1841, aged 48. Josiah Mitchell, died July 9, 1830, aged 26. John J. Heminger (Revolutionary soldier), born May 9,1758, died April 5, 1842; his wife, Mary Ann, born Feb. 24, 1766, died Jan. 14, 1847. James M. Clark, died March 16, 1849, aged 51. Susan Myers, died Feb. 23, 1849, aged 79. 544 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Conrad Holster, died Oct. 7, 1844, aged 87 ; his wife, Susanna, died 1846. Sarah Roister, died Jan. 26, 1860, aged 41. Jacob: Funk, died May 31, 1840, aged 70. Clement Burleigh, died March 28, 1822. John Gant Sr.. died Dec. 24, 1855, aged 82; his wife, Martha, died June 9, 1842, aged 76. Margaret Lippincott, died Sept. 1, 1833, aged 69. Nancy, wife of James Thompson, died April 14, 1866, aged 66. Mary Eicher, died Jan. 5, 1829, aged 67. George Leighteberger, died Nov. 8, 1861, aged 79; his wife, Elizabeth, born Dec. 31, 1780, died May 13, 1847. Margaret, wife of J. Crumbaugh, died Aug. 81, 1858, aged 69. Charles Kelly, died Jan. 13, 1858, aged 79. Dorcas Kelly, died Sept. 23, 1847, aged 46. Mary Swartz, died Sept. 28, 1865, aged 66. WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA CLASSICAL AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE. In 1849 the United Brethren in Christ founded a school of high grade at Mount Pleasant, under the corporate name of " Westmoreland College," and erected a building suited to their wants and purposes: Under their auspices the school accomplished much good, and the interest in the community in the cause of higher education was greatly increased. A few years later it passed into the hands of the Reformed Church, by whom it was operated under the original charter. It was afterwards controlled by the citizens of the town, and then by the Presbyterians. In 1871 the regular Baptist denomination, by petition to the Legislature, secured an act incorporating a school at this place under the name of " The Western Pennsylvania Classical and Scientific Institute." Subsequently the board of trustees purchased the buildings and grounds originally known as the "Westmoreland College" for ten thousand dollars, and the work of education is now carried on by the last-named corporation. It erected a new building, commodious and specially adapted to its increased wants. The faculty in 1858 were Rev. James H. Fife, A.M., President and Professor of Latin and Greek ; William A. Sterrett, A.B., Professor of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and Miss Minerva M. Metzgar, Principal of Female Department. It was reorganized and opened by :the Baptists in 1873, with the following faculty: President, Rev. A. K. Bell, D.D. ; Principal, Jonathan Jones, A.M. (also Professor of Languages and Mathematics) ; Miss A. T. Giddings, Professor of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Miss M. L. Plummer, English Branches and Preparatory Department; Prof. A. C. Lyon, Music; and Mrs. M. Lloyd, Matron. Dr. Bell was succeeded in 1879 by Rev. Leroy Stephens. The buildings of the institute stand in a beautiful grove of forest trees, overlooking the town and surrounding country, and in full view of Chestnut Ridge. The new building for young ladies, forty-one by one hundred and twenty-one feet, and three stories high, is situated near the institute building. The present government is : Board of Trustees, C. S. Overholt (chairman), Dr. J. H. Clark (secretary), J. C. Crown-over (treasurer), William Shallenberger, William Williams, Joseph Beidler, H. Clay Frick, J. W. Bailie, Samuel Warden, Rev. Leroy Stephens, J. L. Shallenberger, J. R. Stauffer, B. F. Overholt, R. Porter Craig, Rev. P. Loucks., J. T. McCormick Rev. N. B. Critchfield, James Neele, Rev. B. F. Woodburn, John M. Cochran, J. Lippincott. Faculty, Rev. Leroy Stephens, President and Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy; Byron W. King, Ancient Languages and Elocution ; Kate- Reynolds, Natural Sciences and Latin ; M. L. Plummer, Mathematics and Civil Government; E. C. Walter, Literature and History ; Adolf Liebig, German ; Anna A. Palm, Music ; and Emma Rees, Drawing, Painting, and French. The Philoretian Literary Society is an organization of its students for literary and social improvement. It is the purpose of the institution to make the instruction exact and thorough in all departments by the most approved methods. It has three classes, senior, middle, and junior, with a normal and scientific course, preparatory and musical departments for such as do not wish a complete and regular course. BOROUGH SCHOOLS. In 1882 the board of directors are W. Washington, president ; J. R. Zuck, secretary ; J. Lanawalt, W. S. Hutchinson, D. B. Keister, J. S. Overhalt. Teachers: Principal and Room No. 4, J. A. Stevenson ; Room No. 3, Miss E. J. Churns ; Room No. 2, Mr. Yothers ; _Room No. 1, Miss H. J. Carroll. ORDERS AND SOCIETIES. MOSS ROSE LODGE, No. 350, I. O. O. F., was chartered April 16, 1849. Its first officers were : N. G., S. D. Johnston; V. G., C. Barger; Sec., C. F. Lichtberger ; Asst. Sec., John Houck ; Treas., James Hitchman. The officers in 1882 are : N. G., Dr. L. S. Goodman; V. G., E. B. Swartz; Sec., J. C. Crown-over; Asst. Sec., T. D. Eicher; Treas., Dr. F. L. Marsh. It meets every Thursday evening in its hall, erected in 1882. HYLAS LODGE, No. 474, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS, was chartered Aug. 31, 1881, with the following members : E. B. Swartz, B. L. Francis, Owen Cain, Robert Wilson, J. F. McWilliams, T. D. Eicher, Dr. L. S. Goodman, W. D. Mullen, Jr., Lewis Weihl, J. D. Lehman, W. G. Chamberlain. It meets Wednesday evenings in Mount Pleasant Hall. MOUNT PLEASANT LODGE, No. 2280, KNIGHTS OF HONOR, was chartered June 8, 1881, with the following members : J. A. Stevenson, J. A. Strickler, J. P. McIntyre, JaMes S. Braddock, Rev. N. L. Reynolds, W. J. Hitchman, J. J. Neele, J. B. Andrews, James Devlin, J. J. Fox, R. H. Goodman, J. C. Gemmel, William Hughes, M. D. Heath, D. B. Keister, Julius Lewey, Thomas Overholt, Adam Rumbaugh, William W. Shuman, J. W. Swartz, E. B. Swartz, John N. D. Stauffer, O. P. Shupe, Harry O. Tinstman. Meets first and third Monday evenings of each month at Mount Pleasant Hall. MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 545 ONETA TRIBE, No. 237, I. O. R. M., was chartered Feb. 22, 1877, with the following members : N. T. Smith, C. C. Neff, J. A. Finefrock, E. B. Benouff, John Trout, Abraham Kughn, Daniel Sweeney, A. Whitehead, George Heuck, R. Gaskill, William Sullenberger, Edward Mullen, A. Giseburt,.M. Hunker, J. P. Blystone, C. W. Thurston, J. L. Mortimore, A. Mortimore, J. Nutting, J. H. Miller, J. L. Byrnes, James Clark, James Nolan, and Edward Smith. It meets Wednesday evenings at I. O. O. F. Hall. ROBERT WARDEN POST, No. 183, G. A. R., was chartered July 16, 1880, with the following members : W. M. Jordan, John Dullinger, John G. Ste- venson, J. A. Loar, M. N. Stauffer, David Stoniher, J. R. Zuck, William Hughes, G. W. Overholt, U. B. Hubbs, D. H. Eicher, J. M. Russell, Abraham Shawley, William Zimmerman, William Horton, Thomas D. Freebies, Samuel Nutting, Jerry Finefrock, Henry Lentz, Henry Smitehurst, Dr. J. L. Marsh, Charles D. Reed, A. T. Mechling, George W. Gibbs, H. O. Tinstman, J. Brownson Hurst, Anthony Jaquette, Robert Hood, George Eicher, C. C. Neff; and Daniel 'Wilkins. It meets on the second Friday evening of each month at Mount Pleasant Hall. THE ANCIENT ORDER OF KNIGHTS OF THE MYSTIC CHAIN was chartered March 18, 1881. Its charter members and first officers were : Sir K. C., Martin Markey ; Sir K. V. C., Francis Beeson ; Sir K. First Lieutenant, Peter Gibbons ; Sir K. R. S., G. T. Learn ; Sir K. P. S., F. K. Nicklow ; Sir K. I. G., John Hoar ; Sir K. O. G., William Hoar; Sir K. P. C., J. R. Murphy. Members: Thomas Hardy, L. G. Herbst, William Fleming, John McKindel, Thomas Irwin, W. F. Holyfield, Daniel Cain, William Marshall, William Meredith, M. T. Conway, P. R. Rogers, S. C. Bowers, George Bomgard, James Rogers, David Childs, Ira Rogers, Thomas Stoke, and John Wolf. It meets Saturday evenings at Mount Pleasant Hall. MOUNT PLEASANT COUNCIL, No. 892, ROYAL ARCANUM, was chartered in May, 1881. The Past Regents are Dr. L. S. Goodman and Dr. J. Loar. In 1882 the Regent is J. 12... McIntyre; Secretary, H. W. Overton ; Treasurer, G. W. Stoner ; and Collector, W. C. Morrison. It meets every alternate Monday evening in I. O. O. F. Hall. MYRTLE LODGE, No. 188, I. O. G. T., was chartered Feb. 27, 1880. The first officers and charter members were: P. W. C. T., B. F. Mechling; W. C. T., J. F. Randolph; W. V. T., Amelia Vance; W. S. E. C., T. C. Patterson ; W. F. S., Maggie Sheppard ; W. T. R. E. A., J. B. Coldsmith ; W. M., J. B. Rupert; W. D. M., Bella Mechling ; W. I. G., Lizzie Coldsmith ; W. O. G., George W. Boyd ; W. R. H. S., Lizzie Sheppard ; W. L. H. S., Ella Brier. Members (charter) : F. L. King, Anna Roadman, Strickler Vance, W. S. Fleming, L. E. Fleming, J. A. Loar, M. E. Randolph, Carrie Smith, E. A. Leonard, and Mollie Maxwell. It meets every Tuesday even.ing.in I. O. O. F. Hall, and is in a very flourishing condition. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. "The First National Bank" was organized in 1864 with $150,000 capital. Its presidents have been C. S. Overholt, John Sherrick, and Henry W. Stoner, the latter the present incumbent, who came in in 1879. The first cashier was John Sherrick, succeeded in 1876 by the present incumbent, Henry Jordan. The bank was opened in Sherrick's Building, and removed to its present location in 1879. In 1882 the vice-president is W. J. Hitchman ; book-keeper, G. W. Stoner; and directors, Henry Jordan, H. W. Stoner, William Snyder, Samuel Warden, W. J. Hitchman, William B. Neel, Joseph R. Stauffer, Dr. J. H. Clark, and W. D. Mullin. It has a surplus of $29,040. " Mount Pleasant Bank" is a private bank, organized in 1878. Its proprietors are W. J. Hitchman, W. B. Neel, Joseph•W. Stoner, and J. C. Crownover, the latter being cashier. It occupies the same building with the First National Bank on Main Street, adjoining the " Jordan House." VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. LAURELVILLE, situated on Jacobs Creek, on the Somerset and Mount Pleasant turnpike, and near the western base of the, Chestnut Ridge, was in the "good old times" a stopping-place for the traveler on that highway. A public house of entertainment had been kept here from very early times, and here was the old homestead of the Lobingier family, a family which has produced representative men in all the higher walks of society, and of which the township itself may justly feel a satisfaction. Jacob A. Lobingier, the Westmoreland representative of the family, resides here, and here he has been engaged his lifetime in industrial or mercantile pursuits. He was postmaster of the office for a period of twenty-five consecutive years. The tannery which Mr. Lobingier operated for many years is now under the control of his son, Mr. John Lobingier. There is here also a grist- and saw-mill, and a general merchandise store, run by Keim Brothers. As it is in a good locality there is quite a business done here, and it is more than probable that within a reasonable time, when the resources of that particular region are developed, that it will become a point of much business importance. RIDGEVIEW, the name of a post-office in the northeastern part of the township, is also the name which by common consent designates the village, which being a thickly settled point on a much-traveled road known as the Clay Pike, where the same crosses another road leading from Laurelville to Pleasant Unity, and which being in a favorable location, has aspirations to communistic distinction. There is a general merchandise 546 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. store kept here, which enjoys a good local patronage, it having been recognized as a distributing point for now a number of years. In this immediate locality the Overlys, the Griffins, the Roadmans, the Hetheringtons are old residents. The Hon. John Faushold resides here, and in ripe old age dispenses justice, by virtue of his commission, with the wisdom of experience. BRIDGEPORT has the distinction of being the largest village not incorporated in the county. Before Derry Station was incorporated it was the largest, but that village now ranks as a corporation. Bridgeport by the last census has a population of six hundred and thirty-five. For its present population and business, and for its encouraging future prospects, it is indebted to the existence of the Mount Pleasant and Broad Ford Railroads, and to the development of the coke business. Before 1871 it had no pretensions ; now it is a village filled to overflowing with an industrious class of laborers. Some of the largest coking firms of that marvelous region operate in the immediate vicinity of this place, and along both sides of the railroad north and south the rows of ovens are in continuous blast. The most extensive of these are the works of Messrs. Boyle & Rafferty, and those of Mr. W. D. Mullen at the northern end of the village. As these interests have been noticed more at length in their proper place, we shall not touch, upon them here. The village is laid out regularly in streets, alleys, and town lots. The streets are named. The buildings, both public and private, which have been erected within its precincts bear all modern marks. The most of these are constructed of rather flimsy material, and have been built rather for convenience and comfort than for durability. The class of business men here, as might be expected, is of the approved type. They are mostly youngish men, and such as are enterprising in its accepted business term. In a place which is so modern, and the citizens of which, to a great extent, are but of late identified with the interests and permanency of the place, it is but natural that there should be changing and a want of stability in their public business undertakings, and a want of a certain mutuality which grows from common intimacy or common interests. It is a place of prospect, and more shall be learned of the status of the place in that part of this work which treats of the modern history of the county, and of the development of its modern industries.   BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. THE LOBINGIER FAMILY. is a remarkably historical and prominent one, not only in this township and county, but in the annals of the State. It was very early represented in the settlement of Westmoreland, and is connected with those other early and distinguished families, the Markles, Painters, Graffs, and Marchands, as well as with Dr. William H. Egle of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's eminent historian. The first emigrant in America bearing the name of Lobingier came from Wittenburg, Germany, in the early part of the eighteenth century, and settled in Lancaster County, now in that part included in Dauphin, and near Harrisburg. His son, Christopher Lobingier, was born in Paxton township, Dauphin (then Lancaster) County, in 1740. He married Elizabeth Muller in 1766, removed to Mount Pleasant township in 1772, and was a delegate to the first Constitutional State Convention in Philadelphia, from July 15 to Sept. 28, 1776. He died July 4, 1798. His wife was born in Switzerland in 1744, and emigrated to Lancaster (now Dauphin) County, with her father, Rudolph Muller, in 1749. She was married to Christopher Lobingier, and died at her daughter's, Mrs. Kimmel, in Stoystown, Somerset Co., Sept. 5, 1815. Her sister, Ursula Muller, was the great-grandmother of Dr. William H. Egle, author of " Pennsylvania's State History," and a resident of Harrisburg. Christopher Lobingier had four sons—John, Christopher, George, and Rudolph—and five daughters, —Catharine, Elizabeth, Mary, Barbara, and Susanna. John Lobingier (better known as Judge Lobingier) was born in Paxton township, Lancaster (now Dauphin) County, about three miles from Harrisburg, April 5. 1767, and married Sophia Moyer, July 7, 1789. He built 'the old home at Laurelville about 1797, and removed there from the Ligonier Valley shortly afterwards. He erected the stone mill which gave the village the name of " Lobingier's Mills" in 1801. He was a member of the Legislature, and an associate judge of the court. He died at his home in Mount Pleasant, Feb. 26, 1859, aged ninety-one years. He engaged in the iron business, controlling several furnaces, and also sank a number of oil-wells. In his later years he delivered a very valuable historical address on the " Whiskey Insurrection of 1794," into which at the time he was in danger of being drawn, but was restrained by the wise counsel of his father. His first wife, Sophia Moyer, was born July 26, 1770, and died May 18, 1838. His second, Elizabeth Cross, was born in 1792, and died Oct. 3, 1861. Christopher Lobingier was the father of John C., now living on the old Lobingier farm along the "Clay Pike." George Lobingier was the father of the late Mechling Lobingier, and of Christopher, who died a few years ago at Bridgeport, and was also the grandfather of Presly, George, and Christopher Lobingier. Barbara married a Mr. Leassure, whose descendants reside near Greensburg. Susanna married a Mr. Kimmel, of Somerset County ; and Mary his brother, who subsequently removed to Michigan. Mrs. Mary, wife of Rev. Frank Fisher, of Greensburg, is a descendant of one of these sisters. Another sister--either Catharine or Eliza- MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 547 beth-married the father of Col. Israel Painter. The children of Judge John and Sophia (Moyer) Lobingier were Elizabeth, born Sept. 11, 1790, married to John Connell ; Mary, born Sept. 25, 1792, married to Gasper Markle (brother of Gen. Joseph Markle), and died in 1880 ; Jacob, born Feb. 21, 1795, married to Mary Stauffer, Oct. 21, 1819, and died Oct. 11, 1855 ; Sarah, born May 14, 1797, and married to Christian Fetter; John, born Aug, 21, 1799, married to Elizabeth Smith and still living on his farm a mile east Of Mount Pleasant ; Susanna, born March 12, 1802,.and died in infancy ; Christopher, born Aug. 12, 1803, and died at Rodney, Miss., Dec. 3, 1836 ; Hannah, born Aug. 20, 1806, married Shepard Markle, of West , Newton, where she now lives ; Sophia, born Feb. 2, 1809, married to Dr. Philip G. Young, of Washington County, but she now lives in Chicago ; George, born Feb. 7, 1811, died Feb. 11, 1829 ; Catharine, born Aug. 8, 1813, married to Rev. James Darsie, and died in Fayette County, March, 1860 ; Jacob, the eldest son, married Mary Stauffer, born April 12, 1801, and who died Oct. 8, 1879, at her daughter's, Mrs. Maria Shallenberger, in Braddock's. Her brother, John Stauffer, was in the Legislature, and her nephew, Jacob Newmyer, was the father of the present State senator, John C. Newmyer. Jacob Lobingier was many years a magistrate, served as captain and major in the militia, and was president of the Somerset and West Newton Turnpike. His children were John S., born Oct. 31, 1820, died Feb. 20, 1821; Elizabeth, born April 13, 1822, married, March 18, 1845, to David K. Marchand, and died in Greensburg ; Jacob, born March 20, 1824, married Lillias F. Stewart, March 18, 1849, and lives at Laurelville; Franklin B., born May 17, 1826,' attended Bethany College, was a noted minister of the Disciples, preaching' in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, and died at Laurelville, April 5, 1852 ; Marie, born Jan. 30, 1829, married to Jonathan N. Shallenberger, Feb. 24, 1848, and resides at Braddock's ; George, born Sept. 20, 1832, married Ada B. Stewart, Sept. 23, 1857, educated at Washington and Jefferson College, read law with Henry F. Schell, at Somerset, admitted to that bar, practiced law at Lanark, Ill., entered the ministry in 1867, preached for the Disciples at Pine Flats, Indiana Co., Pittston, N. Y., Tonawanda, N. Y., West Rupert, Vt., and Hebron, Neb., where he is now ; Christopher C., born June 7, 1840, served in Gen. Burnside's corps in the late war, married, Jan. 10, 1865, to Helena Mills, of Braddock's, where he resides. Jacob Lobingier, as before stated, was the second son of Jacob and Mary Lobingier, attended Bethany College, and since 1847 has resided on the old estate at Laurelville. He held the office of postmaster twenty-five years, and was commissioned as magistrate by Governor Hartranft. He has ever been largely devoted to the cause of education and temperance. His wife was born Oct. 25,1827, and is the daughter of Andrew Stewart, Esq. She is related to Hon. James A. Logan, whose mother was a niece of Mrs. Lobingier's father. Their children are Quincy A., born Jan. 8, 1848,.married, Sept. 12, 1867, to Annie E. Wells, of Steubenville, Ohio ; Henry Schell, born Oct. ,27, 1849, graduated at Bethany College June 19, 1873, took charge of the Second Church of Disciples, Morrisania, New York City, July 20, 1873, and called to the First Church of Disciples, Philadelphia, Oct. 1, 1878, and married, Oct. 27, 1880, Annie H. Sinclair, of New York ; Ada Bonnette, born April 15, 1855 ; J. Frank, born July 13, 1859 ; A. Stewart, born Dec. 22, 1862 ; and Paul, born Feb. 20, 1868, died Sept. 5, 1870. Three sisters of John C. Lobingier were married to three brotheri named Graff, now of Columbia. County. The Lobingier family has been eminently a religious one, closely identified with all moral reforms for the good of society, and, imbued with progressive tendencies, has ever been found on the side of humanity. THE JORDAN FAMILY. David Jordan was born in 1758, and died in March, 1822, in Bedford County. His wife, Mary, was born in 1752, and died March 4, 1838. Their son, David Jordan, was born Oct. 1, 1787, and was married April 19, 1815, by Rev. Alexander Boyd, to Miss Catharine Myers, born in 1790. He removed to Mount Pleasant in 1848, and here died Sept. 13, 1854. His wife died. June 12, 1864. Their children were : 1. David, born April 3, 1817, and died Sept. 5, 1818. 2. John Reamer, born June 30, 1820. 3. Franklin, born June 10, 1822, and died Dec. 29, 1846. 3. Johnston Bardollar, born June 27, 1824. 4. Samuel Washington, born May 2, 1826. 5. William Myers, born Nov. 9, 1827. ABRAHAM OVERHOLT TINSTMAN. Abraham 0. Tinstman, now a resident of Turtle Creek, Allegheny Co., Pa., resided in Fayette County from 1859 to 1876, and there conducted enterprises and aided in laying the foundations of important works which are in active operation, developing the wealth and forming an important part of the business of the county to-day. Mr. Tinstman is of German descent in both lines. His paternal great-grandfather was born in one of the German states, and came to the United States, locating in Bucks County, Pa., and from thence removed to Westmoreland County, Pa., residing near Mount Pleasant, where he had his home until his death ; he was a farmer by occupation. A. O. Tinstman's paternal grandfather was Jacob Tinstman, who was born in Bucks County, Pa., Jan. 13, 1773, and on Dec. 11, 1798, was married to Miss Anna Fox, of Westmoreland County, Pa., her birthplace having been Chester County, Pa., .Aug. 8, 1779. 548 - HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. Jacob Tinstman and Anna Tinstman had ten children, whose names were Mary, Henry, Adam, John, Jacob, Anna, Christian, David, Sarah, and Catharine. Jacob Tinstman was a farmer, and a man of fine education. John, the father of A. O. Tinstman, was the fourth child and third son, and was born Jan. 29, 1807, in East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland Co., Pa. He was brought up on the farm, and attended subscription schools. He held important township offices, was an excellent citizen, an energetic and prudent man, and made a competence for himself and family. He died at the age of seventy years. A. O. Tinstman's maternal grandfather was Abraham Overholt, also of German descent, and who was born in Bucks County, Pa., in 1774, and came to East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland Co., Pa., about the year 1800, and settled on a farm on which the village of West Overton now stands. He married Miss Maria Stauffer, of Fayette County, Pa., and both being of frugal, industrious, and economical dispositions, accumulated property rapidly, lived together harmoniously, and left as monuments of skill and judgment in building and improvements some of the most substantial buildings of East Huntingdon township, having built the entire village of West Overton, including mill, distillery, etc. A. O. Tinstman's mother's maiden name was Anna Overholt, who was a daughter of the aforesaid Abraham and Maria Overholt. She was a lady highly esteemed for her kindness and gentleness, traits of character for which her mother, Mrs. Abraham Overholt, was particularly distinguished. She was born July 4, 1812, and was married to John Tinstman about 1830, and died in the year 1866. The fruits of their marriage were ten children, viz. : Maria, who died at fifteen years of age ; Jacob O.; Abraham O. ; Henry O. ; Anna, widow of Rev. L. B. Leasure; John O., who died when a soldier in the army during the Rebellion ; Elizabeth, who died at three years of age; Abigail, who died at nineteen years of age ; Emma, wife of Dr. W. J. K. Kline, of Greensburg, Pa. ; and Christian S. O. Tinstman, who is now conducting business in partnership with A. O. Tinstman, under the firm-name of " A. O. Tinstman & Co." Abraham O. Tinstman was born Sept. 13, 1834, in East Huntingdon township, Westmoreland Co., Pa., on the farm upon which are now located the Emma Mine Coke-Works. He received his education in the common schools, attending them during the winter season until about twenty years of age, and continued laboring on the farm with his father until he became twenty-five years old, when he went to Broad Ford, Fayette Co., Pa., to take charge of his grandfather Overholt's property at that place, the business consisting of the manufacture of the celebrated Overholt whiskey, the cutting of timber by steam saw-mill into car and other lumber, and the farming of the lands connected with the Broad Ford property. He thus continued to manage and do business for his grandfather until 1864, when the two formed a partnership, named A. Overholt & Co. He, however, continued to conduct the business until the death of his grandfather, A. Overholt, who died in 1870, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. During Mr. Tinstman's residence in the county and his partnership with his grandfather h- caused the erection of the most important buildings in Broad Ford, some of which are the large mill and distillery now there, as well as many houses for the use of employes. In 1865 he and Joseph Rist bought about six hundred acres of coking coal land adjoining the village of Broad Ford. Mr. Tinstman thereafter (in 1868) sold one-half of his interest in the same to Col. A. S. M. Morgan, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and with him established the firm of Morgan & Co., who put up "'on hundred and eleven coke-ovens at the point now known as Morgan Mines, on the line of the Mount Pleasant and Broad Ford Railroad, and built one mile of railroad from Broad Ford to said mines, at which place the first coke was manufactured along what is now the Mount Pleasant and Broad Ford Railroad. Morgan & Co. at this time held almost entire control of the coke business of the Connellsville region. In 1870, A. O. Tinstman with others organized a company; of which he was elected president, and built the Mount Pleasant and Broad Ford Railroad, he holding the office of president until the sale of said road to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company in 1876. About 1871, Mr. Tinstman purchased a portion of Mr. Rist's interest in the six hundred acres of coal land previously mentioned. Mr. H. C. Frick, who was at this time keeping the books of A. Overholt & Co., was very desirous of starting in business, and aspired for something more than book-keeping, and having shown by his indomitable energy, Skill, and judgment that he was not only capable of keeping an accurate and beautiful set of books, but that he was able to conduct business, manage employes, etc., Mr. Tintsman and Mr. Rist associated Mr. Frick with them, under the firm-name of Frick & Co., and made him manager of the association, etc. This company built at Broad Ford two hundred coke-ovens. The first one hundred were built along or facing the Mount Pleasant and Broad Ford Railroad, and were known as the Frick Works, or " Novelty Works." The other hundred were built in blocks along the. Pittsburgh Division of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and facing the road and Youghiogheny River, and were known as the Henry Clay Works. In 1872, Col. Morgan and Mr. Tintsman (as Morgan & Co.) bought about four hundred acres of coking coal land at Latrobe, Westmoreland Co., Pa., and there built fifty ovens. About this period and on continuously to 1876 (during the panic period) Mr. Tintsman bought large tracts of coal lands on the line of the MOUNT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 549 Mount Pleasant and Broad Ford Railroad, comprising nearly all the best coal lands in that region ; but the pressure of the panic proved excessive for him, the coke business, like everything else, becoming depressed, and he failed, losing everything. But having great confidence that the coke business would revive, and foreseeing that it would be one of the earliest as well as surest of manufacturing interests to recuperate, he bought in 1878 and 1880 on option a large extent of coal land in the Connellsville region, and in 1880 sold about 3500 acres at a good advance over cost price to E. K. Hyndman, who then organized the Connellsville Coal and Iron Company. This sale enabled him again to take a new start in the world as a business man. He then, in 1880, established the firm of A. 0. Tintsman & Co., and opened an office on the corner of Seventh Avenue and Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., and soon after bought a half-interest in the Rising Sun Coke-Works, on the June Bug Branch of the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1881 he bought the Mount Braddock Coke-Works, located on the Fayette County Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad ; and in the same year he bought the Pennsville Coke-Works, on the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad, embracing in all about three hundred ovens, all of which he still owns and operates. Thus we see again verified in Mr. Tinstman's life that great truth, that those who " try again" earnestly and energetically will succeed. He is to be congratuated in his again being established in business, and being so pleasantly situated and surrounded by home and family relations, as it is well known that while in the county he labored diligently for its welfare ; and though he has not received the deserved abundant recompense in a pecuniary manner, yet the people of the county appreciate his labors, especially those who have been benefited directly by the development of the coal interests of the county, and of whom there are not a few. On July 1, 1875, Mr. Tintsman married Miss Harriet Cornelia Markle, youngest daughter of Gen. Cyrus P. Markle and Sarah Ann Markle (whose maiden name was Sarah Ann Lippincott), of Mill Grove, Westmoreland Co., Pa. He has one son, named Cyrus Painter Markle Tinstman. JOHN GALLOWAY. The paternal grandfather of Mr. John Galloway, of Mount Pleasant township, was born in York Gounty, Pa., of Scotch parentage; his maternal grandfather was born in Ireland. His father, James Galloway, carried on blacksmithing with farming in the township of Mount Pleasant, and on the farm which he owned, and the same now owned and occupied by his son John. He married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William Hunter, Esq., who was related by blood to the family of Gen. George B. McClellan. James Galloway died Jan. 20, 1837, and his .wife died Oct. 30, 1862. They had nine children,—Rhoda, William, Elizabeth, Nancy Jane, Mary, John, Sarah, Henrietta, and James. Two of these died when children. John Galloway was born on the farm of his father, and the one he now occupies, March 5, 1810, and remained with his father until his death. Mr. Galloway at an advanced age, now over seventy-two, still lives on the homestead, his niece, Miss Nancy Newell, living with him and keeping house for him. Mr. Galloway and his niece were but lately made the subjects of one of the most brutal attacks at the hands of a villainous set of robbers, which caused much and wide-spread talk. On the 19th of October, 1881, five disguised robbers entered the house of Mr. Galloway, they finding out that he had money therein, and closing with him, they beat him about the head until they took him to be dead, when they dragged him by his feet on to the porch. Although he was an old man he made a desperate resistance, and getting a pocket-knife out of his pocket, he used it in his desperation to good advantage on the bodies of several of those who attacked him. When left on the porch he recovered consciousness, and arose to totter off to get assistance and to give alarm, but before he was able to get away they discovered him, and again knocked him down and then dragged him into the house again, still beating and kicking him. One of these wretches in the mean time had attacked Miss NeWell, his niece, and choked her until she was almost incapable of speech, only relaxing his grip as he asked her where the money was. This she heroically refused to tell. The rest of the robbers, having left Mr. Galloway insensible, were now busied breaking furniture and ransacking the rooms for the money, which to the amount of two thousand eight hundred dollars they succeeded in securing, when they fled. They debated among themselves whether they should set the house on fire or not, and when they concluded not to do so they left in different directions. Of these robbers, three of them were shortly identified, namely, Bill Collins, called " Shorty," John McKinney, and " Crossan," and, pleading guilty, were sentenced to the penitentiary, where they are now serving out their terra. The other two of the five have not yet been identified. That Mr. Galloway survived the attack upon him is a thing miraculous. The robbers evidently thought they had left him dead, and had they suspected that he would live they would undoubtedly have killed him outright, for upon the hearing after the arrest he, with his niece, identified them in such a manner that their conviction was but a matter of form.